Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What is it?

At least 58 million Americans have suffered IBS at some stage in their lives. They have cramp like abdominal pains, diarrhoea and/ constipation. These symptoms vary in individual Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers and also from day to day. Jeffrey Roberts, president of the IBS Self Help and Support Group, says, “IBS is an illness which seems to strike people down.”

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a collection of symptoms that are present for 12 weeks in twelve month period. It is characterised by abdominal pain and must include at least two of the following three facts. The pain is relieved by defecation, associated with change in the frequency of stool and change in the appearance of stools.

Certain foods and stress can trigger symptoms or cause a flare up of IBS. Experts are still uncertain as to what exactly Irritable Bowel syndrome is or what causes it. What we know, however, is that the Large Gut in IBS sufferers are more sensitive and, because 80% of IBS patients are women, hormonal changes may be a trigger. It can develop after a severe episode of gastroenteritis and there is a higher incident in individuals who were physically and sexually abused as children.

Although Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a distressing condition with abdominal pains, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and rectal pain, there is no abnormality of the gut. In fact it is not IBS if anything was found during investigation.

If you have symptoms of IBS, make sure you see your family physician for a diagnosis. Your doctor is likely to do tests to exclude serious diseases before a diagnosis of IBS is made. A diagnosis can be made using the Rome Criteria with minimal diagnostic test. However, if you have bleeding from the rectum, loss of appetite, weight loss, anaemia or symptoms developing after fifty years of age, you should see your doctor very soon because you will need addition investigation.

Some IBS sufferers think their illness is “All in the head.” This is not true but the brain has a role in symptom development and experts think that Brain-Gut connection is very important. Serotonin is linked to IBS. High blood levels are present in Diarrhoea predominant IBS and low levels are found in Constipation predominant IBS.

We know that in Irritable Bowel Syndrome, there is no abnormality in the large gut, it is not a cancer and will not lead to cancer or other gastrointestinal disease and it is very common. It is estimated that at some time in their lives as much as 20% of the global population has or had IBS.

It is very difficult for IBS patients to come to terms with this condition especially when they are told the true cause is unknown, no single medication works for everyone and that there is no cure. Depending on the type of IBS you have, dietary changes, stress management, behavioural therapy and various alternative treatments options are available.

A few IBS patients are unfortunate to have severe abdominal pains soon after eating certain foods. This may be because it is a large meal and this can triggers strong Gastro-colic reflex. This a powerful peristaltic contraction in response to stretching of the stomach. In IBS patients, this can be very painful. It is better to have smaller meals and eat frequently. It is important that you do not avoid foods. You need important nutrients to remain healthy.

Stress is a trigger for IBS symptoms. Relieve stress and your IBS will improve.