Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a problem that affects mainly the bowel. It is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It can be found in children, often is first identified in adolescence and can resolve unexpectedly for periods of time throughout an individuals lifespan, reoccurring at any age.  The disorder accounts for more than one out of every 10 doctor visits. For most people, signs and symptoms of irritable bowel disease are mild. It is fairly common and makes up 20–50% of visits to gastroenterologists. Lower abdominal pain, and bloating associated with alteration of bowel habits and abdominal discomfort relieved with defecation are the most frequent symptoms. It is also called the large intestine. Women are affected more often than men. It's not the same as inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis. Colitis, for instance, means inflammation of the large intestine (colon). IBS, however, does not cause inflammation and should not be confused with ulcerative colitis, which is a more serious disorder.

Some people with IBS find that increasing the amount of dietary fibre and reducing caffeine helps. The word syndrome means a group of symptoms. IBS is a syndrome because it can cause several symptoms. For example, IBS causes cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. For some people, however, IBS can be disabling. They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even travel short distances. In many cases, you can control irritable bowel syndrome by managing your diet, lifestyle and stress. Colon motility (contraction of intestinal muscles and movement of its contents) is controlled by nerves and hormones and by electrical activity in the colon muscle. IBS should not be confused with colitis or other inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract and IBS is not limited to the colon. In some individuals, IBS may have an acute onset and develop after an infectious illness characterised by two or more of the following: fever , vomiting , acute diarrhea , positive stool culture. This post-infective syndrome has consequently been termed "post-infectious IBS" and is acute onset Rome II criteria positive. This condition is more homogenous, being mostly IBS-D and is drawing much clinical investigation.

Causes of Irritable bowel syndrome

The common causes and risk factor's of Irritable bowel syndrome include the following:

No one knows exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome.

Factor's that seem to produce sympatoms of IBS include diet, emotional stress and hormones.

Ordinary events such as eating and distention from gas or other material in the colon can cause an overreaction in the person with IBS.

Sometimes another illness, such as an acute episode of infectious diarrhea (gastroenteritis) can trigger IBS.

People with IBS often report that family members also have the disorder, suggesting a possible genetic cause.

Symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome

Some sign and symptoms related to Irritable bowel syndrome are as follows:

Gas.

Bloating.

Mucus in the stool.

Feeling sick with it.

Swollen or bloated abdomen.

Bloating and fullness of wind.

Alternating between one and the other.

A sensation of having to rush to the toilet.

Crampy pain in the stomach area ( abdomen ).

Diarrhea or constipation- people with IBS may also experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea.

Treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome

Here is list of the methods for treating Irritable bowel syndrome:

Fiber supplements or laxatives for constipation or medicines to decrease diarrhea, such as Lomotil or loperamide (Imodium).

An antispasmodic is commonly prescribed, which helps to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain. Antidepressants may relieve some symptoms.

Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and homeopathy, are often used.

Some people find complementary treatments such as acupuncture help, although there is little scientific proof of their effectiveness.

Anti-diarrheal medications: Over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) can help control diarrhea.

Drugs which are used for diarrhoea, such as codeine, can be helpful, but are used less because they can be addictive.

When all else fails, a small dose of a medication usually used to treat depression can be effective. This seems to work in a much smaller dose than is used for depression, and may, in part, work by mimicking the nervous system to the bowel.