Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an irritating medical condition that causes discomfort in the abdomen, pain, changes in bowel movements and bloating in the stomach. At times, the condition is called spastic colon. IBS is caused because of the miscommunication that happens between the brain and the bowels.
Classification of IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome can be classified into four main categories namely IBS-A, IBS-D, IBS-C and IBS-Pl. When diarrhea is predominant, then it’s classified as IBS-D, when constipation becomes predominant, it’s IBS-C or when there is alternating bowel movements along with severe pain it’s classified as IBS-A.
Irritable bowel syndrome can also occur after the onset of an infectious disease that is characterized by high fever, vomiting, diarrhea and positive stool culture. This is known as IBS-Pl or "post-infectious IBS".
Symptoms of IBS
Most people with IBS show mild symptoms, which can be cured with some minor lifestyle changes. Only in cases where the symptoms are severe and can cause cancer is it necessary for the affected people to seek medical help immediately.
Some of the symptoms that IBS patients exhibit are, abdominal pain which can be mild or severe, discomfort in the tummy area and bloating of the stomach. Some will experience strained bowel movements that lead to constipation, and their stools are likely to contain mucus due to their strained bowels. Some might experience diarrhea or watery stools many times a day and almost after every meal. There are others who exhibit both diarrheal and constipation related symptoms together. The symptoms may subside for a few months and make a comeback or they can keep worsening as the days go by.
Here are the top three ISB symptoms:
- Constipation: This is a very painful condition, where a person tries very hard to expel his stool without much success. The stools become hardened and difficult to expel and this upsets the stomach and leads to a buildup of gases in the intestines that begin accumulating in the stomach. This brings about a bloated feeling. At times due to excessive straining, mucus can also appear in the stool. Mucus is a fluid like substance that lines the small intestines and helps in lubricating the stools for easy excretion. Constipation happens because the bowels move very slowly. To avoid constipation, you need to eat lots of fibrous foods.
- Diarrhea: Most IBS patients face this symptom as it is more common than constipation. Here the intestines work very fast and the food gets expelled even before it gets properly formed. People experiencing this symptom are prone to anxiety as they know that they need to use the washroom or toilet quite frequently.
- Bloating and Gas: This is one of the most common symptoms of IBS. The gas formed can either move around in the stomach or it can be located at any one point. Patients experience an uncomfortable feeling in their stomachs and often different types of rumbling noises can also be heard. Bloating is caused because the undigested food particles that reach the intestines come into contact with gas producing bacteria that help in releasing the gas. It can happen immediately after a meal. The gas formation at times can leave you feeling uncomfortable for a long time.
Causes of IBS
There are no surely known reasons why IBS occurs. it can be due to hormonal changes (as many women experience this syndrome especially before and during their menstrual periods). Here are some of the possible causes which have been observed by doctors:
- Nerve Changes and muscle movements that lead to contractions in the bowel are also known to cause this condition.
- A bad diet and stress are important factors that can cause this condition.
- Some trigger foods like spicy foods, fatty foods, and vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and beans can lead bloating in the stomach and IBS.
- Artificial sweeteners containing chemicals like aspartame and sorbitol also can cause IBS.
- Some people are allergic to certain dairy products that can trigger this condition.
Stress is a major factor that aggravates this condition, but is not a cause. Many people, who are overly stressed out, tend to exhibit irregular bowel movements. Stress is known to aggravate the existing problem. Once you spot some of the above mentioned symptoms, you should immediately opt for medical help in order to rectify the same.
