What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
An unpleasant or distressing set of abdominal symptoms is referred to as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. Typical symptoms of IBS include bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
IBS is unlikely to harm your digestive tract or increase your likelihood for colon cancer. Medication, food, and lifestyle modifications are frequently effective ways to treat symptoms.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms involving your gastrointestinal tract. Pain in the abdomen and cramping are among the most common that people encounter. Constipation, diarrhea, or both are experienced on a regular basis.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) does not lead to gastrointestinal tract tissue damage or raise the chance of severe diseases like colon cancer. Rather, it’s a chronic (long-term) problem that most people can control with medicine, behavioural treatment, and dietary and habit adjustments.
What are types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
The way your stools (feces) appear on days when your symptoms flare up is how experts classify IBS. The majority of IBS sufferers experience irregular bowel movements occasionally and regular ones on other days. The odd days characterize the type of IBS you have.
IBS with constipation (IBS-C): The majority of your stools is hard and lumpy.
IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D): You mostly pass loose and watery stools.
IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): You have loose and watery bowel movements in addition to hard, lumpy ones.
Symptoms and Causes
Changes in toilet habits and stomach pain are two common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However, IBS symptoms are not always present and only recurs during flare-ups. This means symptoms can disappear and your bowel movements will return to normal. Other times, the symptoms come back.
Signs and symptoms of IBS include:
- abdominal pain or cramping, typically associated with the need to go to the bathroom.
- bloating and excessive gas.
- constipation, diarrhea, or alternating episodes of both
- stools with mucus discharge.
- sensation of incomplete bowel movement even after passing stools.
Why do IBS cases occur?
Although the precise etiology of IBS is unknown, doctors categorize it as a neuro-gastrointestinal condition. These illnesses, commonly referred to as disorders of the gut-brain interface, are caused by dysfunctions in the way your brain and stomach work together to support the proper functioning of your digestive system.
Difficulties in gut-brain communication can lead to:
Dysmotility: Issues with the contraction of your GI muscles and the passage of food through your GI tract may arise. Those who have IBS often have increased contractions in the colon (large intestine) muscle. Pain and cramps are caused by these contractions.
Visceral hypersensitivity: The nerves in your gastrointestinal tract may be extremely sensitive. Individuals with IBS typically have a lower pain threshold than those without it. Abdominal pain or discomfort may trigger extreme sensitivity in your digestive tract.
Other possible causes of IBS are:
Gut flora: Research has demonstrated that individuals with IBS have distinct types and quantities of gut bacteria in comparison to those without the condition.
Severe infections: It’s possible that pathogens are involved in the diagnosis of IBS in certain individuals who have experienced a severe GI tract infection.
Food intolerance: IBS may be exacerbated by dietary sensitivity or allergy.
Childhood stress: Individuals with IBS are more likely to have been subjected to significant stressors as children, such as mental, emotional, or physical abuse.
Potential IBS Triggers
If you suffer from IBS, you might have seen that certain situations set off symptoms. A trigger can start or exacerbate a symptom flare-up, but it does not cause the illness itself. Typical catalysts consist of:
Menstrual Periods: Individuals who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) may notice that IBS symptoms worsen with their menstrual cycle.
Specific foods: Food triggers differ from person to person. However, meals and drinks that are known to cause gas, dairy, and gluten-containing foods (like wheat) are popular offenders that might set off an IBS symptom flare-up.
Stress: According to some researchers, IBS is your body’s reaction to stress. That’s why IBS is sometimes referred to as having a “nervous stomach” or a “anxious stomach.”
Additional risk factors
People with IBS typically experience symptoms in their late teens to early 40s.
- Individuals classified as female at birth (AFAB) have a twofold increased risk of developing IBS
- Sensitivity to particular foods.
- Severe infection in the digestive system.
- History of abuse.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety.
Many individuals with IBS additionally suffer from other chronic pain conditions. The following ailments are linked to a higher risk of IBS:
- Fibromyalgia.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Chronic pelvic pain.
Management and Treatment for IBS
While there isn’t a single therapy that works for everyone, most IBS sufferers can find a course of treatment that suits them. Modifying your lifestyle and the foods you eat are common intervention strategies. Medications also have a role. Cognitive behavioural therapy may be beneficial.
Most of these therapies take time to take effect. Although they can alleviate IBS symptoms, they might not totally disappear.
Meal modifications
In order to prevent flare-ups, a nutritionist can assist you in making food selections and dietary changes. They might advise you to:
Eat more fibre in your diet. If you suffer from constipation, foods high in fibre, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, prunes, and nuts, may be of assistance. Give your stomach time to adjust by introducing fibre into your diet gradually. Increase the amount of fibre in your diet. Using fibre supplements such as Metamucil® or Citrucel® is an additional choice.
Limit dairy items, such as milk and cheese. Those who have IBS are more likely to be lactose intolerant. If you reduce your dairy intake, be careful to consume nondairy foods high in calcium, such as salmon, spinach, and broccoli.
Eat less of the meals that give you gas. Although gas is commonly associated with foods like cabbage, beans, and sprouts, it can also be caused by carbonated drinks and even chewing gum. Cut back on these items to help your digestive system.
Steer clear of gluten. Even those without celiac disease who have IBS frequently have increased sensitivity to gluten. When choosing a gluten-free diet, consult your healthcare practitioner to make sure you’re getting adequate of the important vitamins and minerals (such as calcium, iron, and fibre) that are frequently present in gluten-containing foods.
Check the low FODMAP diet. This dietary plan minimizes the quantity of hard-to-digest carbohydrates you ingest. It suggests substitutes that are less taxing on your GI system and still give you the nutrients you require.
Hydrate yourself well. Eight eight-ounce glasses of water, or two litres, should be consumed daily. In addition to lubricating your GI tract, water can cure or prevent constipation.
Maintain a food journal. In order to identify the foods that cause IBS flare-ups, your healthcare professional can advise you to keep a food journal and consult a nutritionist later on.
Activity modifications
Engage in regular exercise. Weekly, try to get in 150 minutes of moderate activity.
Explore some relaxation methods. Regular practice of yoga, meditation, and other stress-relieving methods might help soothe an overworked nervous system and “nervous gut.” Sometimes, a behavioral therapist can help.
Get sufficient sleep. Aim to achieve between seven and nine hours of quality sleep every night. One of the most effective de-stressors is a restful night’s sleep. Consult a doctor if you’re experiencing difficulties falling or staying asleep.
Maintain an activity log. Keep track of the things you do to help navigate your IBS.
Counselling
Seeing a therapist is beneficial for many individuals with IBS. Counselling can assist you in managing stress and illnesses like melancholy and anxiety that aggravate IBS. Some people receive comfort by:
- Therapy based on cognitive behaviour (CBT).
- Biofeedback.
- Hypnotherapy.
Pharmacotherapy
Your doctor may recommend any of the following drugs to treat your symptoms:
Antidepressants such as Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) if you are feeling anxious or depressed
Medications that alleviate constipation (including fiber supplements and laxatives).
Medications to firm stools (anti-diarrheal).
Drugs to help with intestinal spasms.
IBS is specifically treated with the following medications:
- Dicyclomine (Bentyl®)– relieves muscle spasms in the gastrointestinal tract
- Hyoscyamine (Levsin®)- decreases the motion of the intestines and the secretion of stomach fluids
- Lubiprostone (Amitiza®)– relieves stomach pain, bloating, and straining and produce softer stools.
- Linaclotide (Linzess®)– increases the movement of food and waste through the stomach and intestines
- Plecanatide (Trulance®)– increases the motility of the stomach and intestines
- Rifaximin (Xifaxan®)– stops the growth of the bacteria that cause diarrhea
Probiotics are also being prescribed by other health providers. The symptoms of IBS may be lessened by these “good bacteria.”
Is there a way to cure IBS?
There is no cure for IBS. However, the majority of people control their symptoms by lifestyle modification, avoiding triggers and, if needed, obtaining prescription medications.
It is really very informative article about IBS, I learned many things.
Thank you Irfan! Stay tuned for more health articles on my Facebook page.🙂