A range of disorders can affect the stomach and intestines, and IBS is one of them. Learn more about this condition and how it can affect a person.
Sometimes, it is hard to tell exactly why a person is experiencing some abdominal discomfort. Such is the case with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This condition is characterized by various gastrointestinal symptoms, including cramping, diarrhea, and altered bowel movements, with no exact known cause.
Even though health experts are uncertain about what causes IBS, many people have this condition. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed gastroenterological diseases. About 7–16% of Americans have IBS, and according to a 2021 study, it is most common in young people and people assigned female at birth.
In this article, we will discuss IBS, its symptoms, causes, and treatment. We will also review the potential complications and risk factors for IBS.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an uncomfortable but common gastrointestinal disorder. It is a collection of symptoms that affect the digestive system. Although IBS is typically a lifelong condition, the symptoms may vary over time.
However, IBS has little impact on some people's physical health. The condition also does not enhance the chances of developing intestinal cancer or other intestinal-related problems.
Irritable bowel symptoms could also be called irritable bowel, spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach.
People with IBS often have irregular bowel movements. Some days, everything feels okay, and other days, they may experience changes in their bowel movement. The type of bowel movement experienced shows the type of IBS you have:
The exact cause of IBS is still unknown, and healthcare professionals believe many things can cause the syndrome. They may determine the cause of each person's condition based on the symptoms they are experiencing.
Healthcare experts believe some possible causes of IBS include:
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome may differ from person to person. It also ranges from mild to severe, although most people experience mild symptoms. Health experts often diagnose IBS when a person is experiencing the symptoms at least three times a month for three consecutive months or more. The major symptoms of IBS include:
These symptoms are not always persistent. They may disappear for a while, only to recur after some time. Symptoms like gas and bloating always go away after a bowel movement, while others may continue occurring.
If you have IBS with constipation (IBS-C), you will find it difficult to pass stool often—you may only pass a small amount or none at all.
If you have IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), you may experience frequent watery, loose stool. It may also be difficult to control the urgent need for a bowel movement.
Some people with IBS experience loss of appetite. People with vaginas who have IBS usually find the symptoms more severe during their period. People with these symptoms find it difficult to perform their daily activities as it comes with very discomforting stress.
The easiest way to diagnose IBS is through the symptoms. There is no particular test carried out for this disease. One is said to have IBS after a thorough physical and history examination following a proper understanding of the symptoms already experienced. Also, doctors may conduct some tests to rule out other issues as possible causes of the symptoms.
Just as there is no specific test for IBS, there is also no current standard treatment for it. Treatment is only targeted to relieve the symptoms. And sometimes, healthcare professionals may suggest some home remedies to help manage the condition. The following home remedies will help relieve the symptoms:
If home remedies, such as dietary or lifestyle changes, do not provide relief, your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve the symptoms. Some medications that may help improve IBS include:
People with IBS experience digestive system symptoms occasionally in varying degrees of severity. However, there are factors that can increase the risk of developing these conditions, including:
Some other risk factors for IBS include; food tolerance, exposure to antibiotics, somatic system disorder, and smoking.
Even though some diets and lifestyle modifications can help manage IBS, it can still affect the quality of life. This can be stressful and difficult to deal with. The complications can affect the patient emotionally, physically, and also mentally.
IBS can meddle and reduce the quality of a person's life, making it challenging to perform certain daily tasks outside their homes, especially where access to the restroom is uncertain. Most patients would prefer to remain at home because of the complications.
People with IBS are at risk of developing depression and anxiety. They are most likely to experience sad moods, insomnia, and fatigue. They may easily lose interest in their friends and hobbies, experience changes in their eating style, and may also have thoughts of suicide.
People with IBS usually experience sleeping problems, as cramps and abdominal pains may force them to stay awake at night. This experience can cause them to get easily tired during the day, with little or no strength.
Patients with IBS are usually dehydrated. This happens when the IBS is associated with a chronic disorder, and the patient does not take in enough water and electrolytes.
Malnutrition is common in patients with IBS. It is possible because some patients avoid foods that are nutritious in a bid to prevent IBS from worsening. For instance, some healthy foods such as wheat, rye, legumes, and some fruits may increase the symptoms of IBS, and cutting them out of your diet will reduce your nutritional sources.
This may be caused by problems associated with IBS, such as diarrhea, constipation, and straining during a bowel movement. It is common in patients with IBS, and it's usually not painful but causes bleeding during bowel movements.
IBS is a group of symptoms that affect the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and cramping. Because clinicians cannot tell the exact cause of IBS, diagnosing it can be challenging. Still, they try to determine if someone has IBS by doing tests that rule out other things that could be causing the signs and symptoms.
IBS can be managed using medications and lifestyle modifications. If you experience persistent gastrointestinal problems, you should speak with a doctor for a proper diagnosis. If the diagnosis indicates you have IBS, your healthcare team will get you started on a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms and their severity.