Irritable bowel syndrome, or irritable bowel disease, is a long-term gastrointestinal disorder. It causes abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, irregular bowel habits, and alternating diarrhea and constipation.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or irritable bowel disease (IBD), is also known as spastic colitis, mucus colitis, and nervous colon. It is a chronic, or long-term, condition, but symptoms tend to change over the years.
IBS can cause persistent discomfort, but most people will not experience severe complications.
Symptoms often improve as individuals learn to manage the condition. Severe and persistent severe symptoms are rare.
Fast facts on irritable bowel syndrome
Here are some key points about irritable bowel syndrome.
IBS can cause discomfort, but it does not usually lead to serious complications.
Currently, there is no cure for IBS.
Dietary and emotional factors can play a key role in IBS.
Reducing alcohol intake can ease symptoms.
Excluding foods that cause gas can also improve symptoms.
Symptoms
IBS
IBS can lead to discomfort and abdominal pain.
The most common symptoms experienced by people with IBS are:
changes in bowel habits
abdominal pain and cramping, which often lessen after using the bathroom
a feeling that the bowels are not fully emptied after using the bathroom
excess gas
passing of mucus from the back passage, or rectum
a sudden urgent need to use the bathroom
swelling or bloating of the abdomen
Symptoms often worsen after eating. A flare-up may last from 2 to 4 days, and then symptoms may either improve or go away completely.
Signs and symptoms vary considerably between individuals. They often resemble those of other diseases and conditions. They can also affect different parts of the body.
These can include:
frequent urination
halitosis, or bad breath
headache
joint or muscle pain
persistent fatigue
pain with sex (for females) or sexual dysfunction
irregular menses
Anxiety and depression may also occur, often because of the discomfort and embarrassment that can accompany the condition.
Diet
Dietary factors can play a role. Symptoms are often worse after consuming certain products, such as chocolate, milk, or alcohol. There may be either constipation or diarrhea.
Some fruits, vegetables, and sodas can trigger bloating and discomfort. It is unclear whether a food allergy or intolerance plays a role.
Common dietary triggers of cramping or bloating include:
foods that cause flatulence, such as beans, celery, onions, carrots, raisins, bananas, apricots, prunes, brussel sprouts, pretzels, and bagels
dairy products
sugar-free gum
some candies
products with caffeine in them, maybe due to lactose (sugar), sorbitol, or caffeine intolerance, rather than IBS
Fiber: Some people with IBS need to increase their fiber intake, while others have to consume less. A proper balanced level of fiber in the diet can help promote healthy digestion.
Probiotics: These may help some people. The benefits take about 4 weeks to appear.
Food diary: Keeping a record of foods eaten and their effect will help identify the major trigger foods.
Changes in eating habits can help control symptoms. There is no IBS diet that works for everybody, so the person may need to go through a process of trial and error to achieve an optimum diet.
Causes
It is unclear what causes IBS, but it is not contagious or cancer-related.
[Small intestine]
IBS causes discomfort in the gastrointestinal system.
Factors that may be involved include:
diet
environmental factors, such as stress
genetic factors
hormones
digestive organs being excessively sensitive to pain
an unusual response to infection
a malfunction in the muscles used to move food through the body
an inability of the central nervous system (CNS) to control the digestive system properly
A person's mental and emotional state may have an impact. People who have had a traumatic experience have a higher risk of developing IBS.
Hormonal changes can make symptoms worse. They are often more severe in women, for example, around the time of menstruation.
Infections, such as gastroenteritis, can trigger post-infectious IBS or PI-IBS.
Treatment
As the causes are uncertain, treatment for IBS aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
This usually involves some dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as learning how to manage stress.
The following may help:
avoiding sorbitol, found in some chewing gums, diet foods, and sugar-free sweets, as it can cause diarrhea
consuming more oat-based foods to reduce gas or bloating
not skipping meals and eating at the same time every day
eating slowly
limiting alcohol intake
avoiding carbonated sugary beverages, such as soda
limiting the intake of certain fruits and vegetables
limiting tea and coffee intake to three cups per day
drinking enough fluids, at least eight cups of fluid per day for most people
It may help to avoid or limit the intake of resistant starch, commonly found in processed or recooked foods and in some legumes. Resistant starch is not broken down in the digestive tract and counts as a component of dietary fiber.
Anxiety and stress
The following may help reduce or relieve symptoms:
relaxation techniques, including exercises or meditation
some specific physical activities, such as Tai Chi or yoga
regular physical exercise
stress counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Medications
The following medications are used for IBS symptoms:
Antispasmodic medications reduce abdominal cramping and pain by relaxing the muscles in the gut.
Bulk-forming laxatives can help relieve constipation. These can be purchased over-the-counter or online, although they should be used with caution.
Antimotility medications for diarrhea include loperamide, which slows down the contractions of the intestinal muscles. Loperamide may be purchased online.
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCAs) often helps to reduce abdominal pain and cramping.
Medications specific to IBS treatment include:
alosetron (Lotronex) for severe diarrhea-predominant IBS in women
lubiprostone (Amitiza) for constipation-predominant IBS in women
These are usually the last line of treatment when other lifestyle or therapeutic interventions have failed, and symptoms remain severe.
Psychological therapy
Some psychological techniques can be useful:
Psychodynamic interpersonal therapy (PIT), where the therapist helps the patient explore their past to find out whether anything may have affected them unconsciously.
Hypnotherapy can help alter the unconscious mind's attitude to symptoms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) fosters strategies for reacting differently to the condition through relaxation techniques and a positive attitude.
Exercise can help reduce symptoms in some people.