Overview – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very complicated health condition. Often mistaken for a type of irritable bowel disease (IBD), like ulcerative colitis, which cause inflammation and damage to the digestive tract. However, even though IBS and colitis share similar symptoms (i.e., abdominal pain, constipation, bloating, diarrhea), IBS is considered a syndrome that doesn’t cause any damage to the colon.
IBS is a combination of a discomfort in the stomach and a problem with the bowel. People who have IBS get diarrhea or constipation more often than normal people. This condition is not life-threatening but it is not a comfortable condition to live with.
Doctors say that IBS cannot cause other health problems like colitis, Crohn’s disease, or colon cancer. The chances of getting these diseases are equal for people with and without IBS. IBS is a long-lasting disease and people suffering from it might have to change their routines to fit into normal activities with a condition like this. Here’s an overview of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
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Diarrhea
Patients with IBS experience violent episodes of diarrhea, which start suddenly.
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Constipation
Severe constipation is one of the telling signs of IBS.
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Constipation and diarrhea
People suffering from IBS experience alternate rounds of constipation and diarrhea.
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Pain and cramps in stomach
Patients experience pain and cramps in the stomach, especially after meals. This pain gets better after a bowel movement.
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Bloating
IBS leads to excessive gas and bloating.
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Different stool patterns
People experience different stool patterns like pellets and flat ribbon stools when they have IBS.
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A protruding belly
A belly that sticks out is a very common sign of IBS and is seen in almost all the patients.
Types of irritable bowel syndrome
There are four types of IBS based on the symptoms they experience.
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IBS-C
This is the type in which people experience constipation.
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IBS-D
In this type of IBS, patients experience diarrhea.
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IBS-M
In this IBS, patients experience a mix of both constipation and diarrhea.
Unsubtyped IBS or IBS-U
This type of IBS is assigned to people who do not fit in any of the conditions mentioned above.
What causes irritable bowel syndrome?
There are many reasons that are known to trigger IBS but do not exactly know what causes it. Some doctors believe that it happens because the colon becomes sensitive and overreacts to mild stimulations. While some doctors believe that it is caused by the sudden spasms of the bowel muscles. What causes these both conditions is not known yet.
How is irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed?
There is no particular lab test that can diagnose IBS. So, doctors observe the symptoms and run tests to rule out other conditions that have the similar symptoms. The following conditions might be tested:
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Reaction to medications
- Infection
- Enzyme deficiency
- Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Irritable bowel syndrome is not a life-threatening disease but the symptoms that it causes might lead to serious health complications. Right now, there is no cure available for it and the treatment is not same for everyone. Doctors combine a few treatment options to help a patient manage the symptoms and lead a normal life.
