Table of Contents
There are many people suffering from digestive system problems or disorders, but they have no clear diagnosis. In some cases, they don’t even know what the problem is.
The most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are:
- abdominal or stomach pain
- relief by defecation, opening the bowels, and passing stool
- change in frequency or consistency of stool
- irregular pattern of defecation for at least two days a week
- altered stool frequency
- altered stool form
- altered stool passage
- passage of mucus
- bloating or feeling of abdominal distension
If you have some of these symptoms, then you probably have IBS. Similar symptoms include loose or watery stools, rushing to the toilet, needing to go to the toilet just after going, and needing to loosen clothes after eating.
Facts about IBS
- While IBS often causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, it does not cause permanent harm to the intestines. Furthermore, it does not lead to intestinal bleeding, and it does not cause cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases. (Examples for such disease are Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.)
- IBS symptoms vary in frequency, where some people can go on for weeks or months with no symptoms, while others may experience symptoms daily.
- Some patients can identify the triggers of their symptoms and can make lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications and stress reduction. In some cases, these changes could improve the symptoms. Medication may also help with symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome.
- Certain types of food, such as chocolate, high-fat foods, milk products, or large amounts of alcohol, may trigger attacks of IBS. Caffeine can cause loose stools even in some people without IBS, but it is particularly problematic for people with this problem.
- IBS is manageable, but we cannot say there is cure for this syndrome.
- IBS may include other symptoms such as constant fatigue, tiredness, and even depression. Depression and anxiety disorders can aggravate IBS, and IBS can contribute to depression and anxiety disorders as well.
- Some research indicates that IBS may be more common among people who were abused as children.
- While stress may aggravate IBS symptoms, other factors, particularly colon motility and sensitivity of the nerves in the colon, also play an important role.
Continue reading after recommendations