Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A normal functioning digestive system that processes food and eliminates waste effectively is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s a fact that many people have one that gives them no end of trouble, and irritable bowel syndrome is one of the more common degenerative conditions related to the digestive system and overall intestinal health. What is irritable bowel syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms involve stomach discomfort and / or pain, along with difficulties related to bowel movements.

These difficulties can involve inability to have bowel movements, having them more or less often than normal, or having to pass them with so much urgency that it’s a source of extreme inconvenience or embarrassment. Irritable bowel syndrome can also involve ongoing production of abnormal stools in the colon, ones that are overly thin, hard, soft, or liquid-like.

The problems that come with IBS are compounded by the fact that irritable bowel symptoms can alter the way the individual lives their life, from limiting the foods they’re willing to eat to refraining from social interactions because of the way these symptoms often come with such unexpectedness and urgency. This discussion here will highlight irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and irritable bowel syndrome causes, as well as treatment options plus a dispelling of certain myths attached to IBS.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes

It’s helpful to understand first that there are four different kinds of irritable bowel syndrome. IBS-C is the condition along with constipation (unable to defecate), IBS-D is the condition plus diarrhea. The M in IBS-M stands for mixed, and this type of the condition has a mix of constipation and diarrhea seen with it. The final type is IBS-U (unsubtyped), and that’s for cases of IBS that don’t fit into any of the 3 previous classifications.

As for irritable bowel syndrome causes, it results from the colon becoming hypersensitive and overreacting to mild stimulation that occurs naturally as part of the body’s digestive process. For people without IBS, that stimulation poses no problems at all. For IBS sufferers, however, they experience spasmic responses instead of the slow, rhythmic muscle movements that are part of peristalsis for people with normally-functioning digestive systems.

Exactly what causes this hypersensitivity in the colon isn’t entirely understood by the medical community, but many believe that it stems for imbalances in neurotransmitter chemicals sent from the brain to the digestive tract to regulate normal colon function. It’s also worthwhile to note that IBS affects women much more often than men, so hormones may play a factor too. Emotional stress, eating foods you’re allergic to, or celiac disease can also cause the onset of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Common food triggers for irritable bowel syndrome are red peppers, green onions, red wine, wheat, and cow’s milk.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

There are some digestive health conditions that have milder symptoms attached to them, but IBS certainly isn’t one of them. IBS symptoms tend to be very pronounced and as a result it’s difficult or impossible for sufferers to look past them.

Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea (often explosive)
• Constipation alternating with diarrhea
• Excessive gas and / or bloating
• Belly pain or cramps that are usually located in lower half of belly, and become worse shortly after finishing meals
• Harder or looser stools than normal
• An overextended belly that ‘sticks out’ disproportionately

Some people may also experience abnormal urinary symptoms or sexual dysfunction as a result of irritable bowel syndrome.

There are myths attached to IBS too. If anyone suggests to you that it’s potentially life-threatening or makes you more likely to develop ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or colon cancer you can go ahead and ignore them. There’s no truth to any of that.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

The IBS treatment that will be best will vary for the different sufferers based on their symptoms and any specific triggers behind their IBS. Diet and lifestyle changes are a good place to start for most people.

Good suggestions include:

• Avoiding caffeine in coffee, tea, and soft drinks
• Limit dairy intake, and getting calcium from other food sources like spinach and tofu, among others
• Eating much more fibre in your diet
• Eat smaller meals
• Increasing water intake (3 to 4 glasses a day is recommended)
• If you smoke, quit
• Find and practice effective relaxation techniques

Your physician may direct you take medications for irritable bowel syndrome. These can include antibiotics like Xifaxan (Rifaximin) to control bacteria populations in the intestines or anti-spasmodic meds like Bentyl (Dicyclomine) or Anaspaz (Hyoscyamine) that work to directly minimize irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Some people also find that antidepressant meds are effective for reducing abdominal pain and bloating, and for constipation related to IBS your physician may give you a prescription for Linzess (Linaclotide) or Amitiza (Lubiprostone). For stomach pain with diarrhea related to IBS, using prescription Viberzi may be your best choice.

One last suggestion is to also take some type of bulking agent like psyllium, wheat bran, or corn fiber that will slow the movement of food through the digestive tract and help relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Metamucil is one of the most well-known psyllium-fiber husk mixes and is available OTC at nearly every drug store or supermarket.