Each one of us has their own way to express anger, but have you ever thought what happens when your digestive system gets angry? How does it express its annoyance? Are changes like bloating and abdominal cramps the digestive system's way of crying out for help? This anger is often a sign of irritable bowel syndrome; here is an article to learn more about it.
Facts about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists. It is a chronic condition that causes a range of symptoms, such as stomach pain and cramps, that can affect your quality of daily life. Statistics show that 11% of the world's population suffers from it; however, only 30% of them seek treatment.
Researchers describe this syndrome as a neuro-enteric disorder, resulting from a difficulty in coordinating between your bowl and your brain, leading to a malfunction in the digestive system. Surprisingly, this syndrome does not cause damage to the digestive tract tissues, nor does it increase your risk of developing diseases such as colon cancer; symptoms can often be controlled through medication and changes to your diet and lifestyle.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Types, Symptoms, and Causes
There are several types of irritable bowel syndrome; including: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), and IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M). It is essential to differentiate between the types, as some treatments only work with certain types of the disease.
You may experience all or some of these symptoms; for example:
- Stomach pain or cramping that worsens after eating and is relieved by defecation.
- A feeling of fullness and bloating.
- Excessive gases.
- Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two.
- Mucus in the stool.
There are many causes of this syndrome; including:
- Disruption of bowel motility, where the intestines contract excessively, causing severe cramps.
- The the digestive system nerves become highly sensitive, resulting in a lower tolerance to pain.
- Changes in the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines and play a pivotal role in the overall health.
- Severe gastrointestinal infections leading to the overgrowth of bacteria in the stomach or intestines
- Allergies to certain foods; including wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, legumes, cabbage, onions, fizzy drinks, caffeine, and spicy or fatty foods.
Currently, symptoms can be controlled by overcoming stress and changing your diet and lifestyle by following these steps:
- Avoid eating foods that trigger your symptoms, such as dairy products.
- Eat fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of fluids and water.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get enough sleep.
- Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress.
- Medications such as: antidepressants (if you suffer from depression and anxiety along with severe abdominal pain), laxatives (for constipation), antidiarrheal, medications to help with intestinal cramps, pain relievers, and medications specifically for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as dicyclomine, hyoscine, and lubiprostone.
Living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be challenging because the symptoms are uncomfortable, interfere with your life, last for long periods, and treatment often involves trial and error; the good news is that almost everyone with IBS can find a treatment that helps them over time.
References
mayoclinic.org
my.clevelandclinic.org
nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
niddk.nih.gov
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cover photo by Freepik