Title:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic functional disorder of the intestines which causes abdominal pain, often accompanied by cramping, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. It is also referred to as spastic colon or mucous colitis. Irritable bowel syndrome is more commonly known by its abbreviated term - IBS.
Keywords
irritable bowel syndrome, ibs, ibs symptoms, ibs diet, ibs treatment, ibs medication, bowels, bowel disorder, intestines
Article Body
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic functional disorder of the intestines which causes abdominal pain, often accompanied by cramping, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. It is also referred to as spastic colon or mucous colitis. Irritable bowel syndrome is more commonly known by its abbreviated term - IBS.
There are three forms of IBS depending on the symptoms -- diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C) and IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A). Clinical investigations are going on a new IBS subtype, post-infectious IBS (IBS-PI).
Symptoms of IBS
IBS symptoms include
Abdominal pain
Discomfort associated with changes in bowel habits
Fewer than three bowel movements a week
IBS symptoms include
More than three bowel movements a day
Hard or lumpy stools
Loose or watery stools
IBS symptoms include
Straining during a bowel movement
Urgency (having to rush to have a bowel movement)
Feeling of incomplete bowel movement
IBS symptoms include
Passing mucus (white material) during a bowel movement
Abdominal fullness, bloating, or swelling
Chronic pelvic pain
IBS symptoms include
Mental stress
Fibromyalgia and various mental disorders
Researchers believe that there are neurological and psychological disorders associated with IBS.
IBS symptoms include
Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome are unknown, but there are factors that may aggravate the trouble. Dietary factors and stress dont exactly cause IBS, but they can aggravate it. Various studies and researches have noted an IBS connection to diet. Physicians feel that the correct diet can provide IBS relief.
Common IBS diet advice includes
Eat soluble fiber foods and supplements.
Substitute dairy products for soy or rice products.
Be careful with fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in insoluble fiber.
Common IBS diet advice includes
Eat small amounts in regular intervals to lessen the symptoms of IBS.
Avoid eating red meat, oily or fatty (and fried) products.
Avoid taking dairy products (especially when lactose intolerance is suspected).
Common IBS diet advice includes
Avoid solid chocolate, coffee (regular and decaffeinated), alcohol, carbonated beverages and artificial sweeteners.
IBS Treatment
IBS treatment includes dietary advice and medication. Developing good dietary habits may be the best treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.
Common IBS diet advice includes
Medications can provide instant IBS relief. These may include stool softeners and laxatives in constipation-predominant, and antidiarrheal (loperamide) in diarrhea-predominant IBS. The low dosage of tricyclic and SSRI antidepressants has shown to be the most widely prescribed medications for helping to relieve symptoms of visceral sensitivity (pain) and diarrhea or constipation respectively. Other medications include:
Alosetron: Alosetron is a selective 5-HT3 antagonist for IBS-D. It is only available for women in the United States under a restricted access program, due to severe risks of side effects if taken mistakenly by IBS-A or IBS-C sufferers.
Cilansetron: Cilansetron is also a selective 5-HT3 antagonist that is undergoing further clinical studies in Europe for IBS-D sufferers.
Common IBS diet advice includes
Tegaserod: Tegaserod is a selective 5-HT4 antagonist for IBS-C. It has shown to have an excellent safety profile for relieving IBS constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation.