IBS - What Are The Symptoms and Causes?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gut disorder.
The cause is not known although approximately 10% of people diagnosed with this syndrome found that symptoms appeared after a gastric illness and it is often associated with anxiety and stress, which seems to exacerbate symptoms.
It affects between 10% and 20% of the UK population and is twice as common in women as it is in men.
Such syndrome is commonly misdiagnosed, or neglected, with many people suffering with symptoms years before they seek medical help.
This is because symptoms are fairly common and could easily be mistaken as unrelated bouts of diarrhea, constipation or stress.
Thus, it is very important to understand these symptoms and causes, in order to seek medical advice and treatment more quickly.
The symptoms of this Syndrome may include: - Abdominal pain and spasms, often relieved by going to the toilet - Diarrhea, constipation or an alternation between the two - Bloating or swelling of the abdomen - Rumbling noises and excessive passage of wind - Urgency (An urgent need to visit the toilet) / Incontinence (If a toilet is not nearby) - Sharp pain felt low down inside the rectum - Sensation of incomplete bowel movement Who gets IBS? At any one time between 10% and 20% of people living in western countries fulfill the diagnostic criteria for this syndrome.
This is more frequently diagnosed in women compared with men, in young compared with old and in western countries compared with the developing world.
It is commonly associated with emotional tension, is frequently triggered by life changes, difficult life situations or stressful life events.
What causes IBS? The cause is not clear.
It is thought that it may be linked to overactivity of part of the gut.
The area of overactivity in the gut may determine whether constipation or diarrhea develops.
Again, the cause of overactivity in parts of the gut is not clear.
One or more of the following may play a part: Overactivity of the nerves or muscles of the gut.
It is not known why this may occur.
It may have something to do with overactivity of messages sent from the brain to the gut.
Stress or emotional upset may play a role.
About half of people with IBS can relate the start of symptoms to a stressful event in their life.
Symptoms tend to become worse during times of stress or anxiety.
Intolerance to certain foods may play a part in some cases.
However, this is thought to be only in a small number of cases.
How can IBS be managed? Many people are reassured that their condition is bowel syndrome, and not something more serious such as colitis.
Simply understanding this syndrome may help people feel less anxious about the condition, which may ease the severity of symptoms.
Symptoms often settle for long periods without any treatment.
In some cases, symptoms are mild and do not require treatment.
Studies on this and treatment with prebiotics may show benefits in reducing abdominal pain and bloating, ease bowel movements and improve stool consistency in those diagnosed with IBS.
The cause is not known although approximately 10% of people diagnosed with this syndrome found that symptoms appeared after a gastric illness and it is often associated with anxiety and stress, which seems to exacerbate symptoms.
It affects between 10% and 20% of the UK population and is twice as common in women as it is in men.
Such syndrome is commonly misdiagnosed, or neglected, with many people suffering with symptoms years before they seek medical help.
This is because symptoms are fairly common and could easily be mistaken as unrelated bouts of diarrhea, constipation or stress.
Thus, it is very important to understand these symptoms and causes, in order to seek medical advice and treatment more quickly.
The symptoms of this Syndrome may include: - Abdominal pain and spasms, often relieved by going to the toilet - Diarrhea, constipation or an alternation between the two - Bloating or swelling of the abdomen - Rumbling noises and excessive passage of wind - Urgency (An urgent need to visit the toilet) / Incontinence (If a toilet is not nearby) - Sharp pain felt low down inside the rectum - Sensation of incomplete bowel movement Who gets IBS? At any one time between 10% and 20% of people living in western countries fulfill the diagnostic criteria for this syndrome.
This is more frequently diagnosed in women compared with men, in young compared with old and in western countries compared with the developing world.
It is commonly associated with emotional tension, is frequently triggered by life changes, difficult life situations or stressful life events.
What causes IBS? The cause is not clear.
It is thought that it may be linked to overactivity of part of the gut.
The area of overactivity in the gut may determine whether constipation or diarrhea develops.
Again, the cause of overactivity in parts of the gut is not clear.
One or more of the following may play a part: Overactivity of the nerves or muscles of the gut.
It is not known why this may occur.
It may have something to do with overactivity of messages sent from the brain to the gut.
Stress or emotional upset may play a role.
About half of people with IBS can relate the start of symptoms to a stressful event in their life.
Symptoms tend to become worse during times of stress or anxiety.
Intolerance to certain foods may play a part in some cases.
However, this is thought to be only in a small number of cases.
How can IBS be managed? Many people are reassured that their condition is bowel syndrome, and not something more serious such as colitis.
Simply understanding this syndrome may help people feel less anxious about the condition, which may ease the severity of symptoms.
Symptoms often settle for long periods without any treatment.
In some cases, symptoms are mild and do not require treatment.
Studies on this and treatment with prebiotics may show benefits in reducing abdominal pain and bloating, ease bowel movements and improve stool consistency in those diagnosed with IBS.
