Discover the Truth About Irritable Bowel Syndrome Today
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort associated with changes in stool frequency and consistency. IBS affects approximately 11% of adults – roughly 1 out of 10 people – at some point in their lives, and it may affect men and women equally. However, about twice as many women have symptoms than men.
The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome remains unknown, however, several factors may contribute to its onset. These factors include diet, lifestyle, genetics, infections, mental illness, abuse, physical injury, parasites, and medications.
While there is no known cure for IBS, treatments exist to control symptoms. Many patients find relief using antispasmodics, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and opioids. Lifestyle modifications, such as eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, and spicy foods may also help ease symptoms.
For those suffering from severe IBS, surgery is sometimes necessary. When these measures fail, medical professionals may prescribe various dietary supplements and alternative therapies. Among these alternatives is acupuncture, which involves inserting fine needles near certain points along the body’s meridians. Another option is massage therapy, which uses smooth strokes to relax muscles and relieve tension.
The first thing to know about irritable bowel syndrome is that it’s not contagious. You can’t catch it from someone else. If you think you might have IBS, talk with your doctor about getting tested. Your doctor may recommend tests to rule out other problems like ulcers, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, food allergies, lactose intolerance, chronic kidney disease, hepatitis C, thyroid disorders, etc.
Types Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
There are many different types of IBS, including constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS), diarrhea-predominant irritative bowel syndrome (D-IBS), and mixed IBS. Symptoms vary depending on the type of IBS and may include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, etc. A person who suffers from IBS often experiences alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. These episodes may last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Many people have no symptoms at all. However, if you suffer from chronic IBS, then these episodes may become quite frequent.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Cause
The cause of IBS remains unknown, although some researchers believe that it could be due to a combination of factors. One possible theory suggests that certain foods trigger IBS symptoms. Another theory states that the body’s immune system may play a role. In addition, recent studies suggest that stress may contribute to the onset of IBS.
The Diagnose Process
The first step in diagnosing IBS is to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. Doctors may perform blood tests to check for celiac disease or Crohn’s disease. If those tests are negative, they’ll look at stool samples to find any parasites or bacteria that might explain the patient’s symptoms. Sometimes, doctors will use imaging techniques like CT scans or colonoscopies to help them figure out what’s causing the problem.
If none of these steps reveal anything abnormal, then doctors will start looking at diet changes. Patients with IBS tend to experience diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, cramps, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are caused by food allergies, lactose intolerance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or something else entirely.
Food allergy testing is done using skin prick tests or oral challenges. Skin prick tests involve injecting tiny amounts of suspected allergens under the surface of the skin. If these injections don’t produce any redness or itching, then the test was positive. Oral challenges require eating specific foods while being monitored closely. A positive result means the person had an allergic reaction.
Treatment Options For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The best way to treat IBS is to identify the underlying cause. If you have been diagnosed with IBS, talk to your doctor about possible treatments. Your doctor may recommend dietary changes, probiotics, antispasmodics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, or antibiotics. Medications can also be prescribed if they are effective.
It’s not uncommon for someone to get IBS after having surgery on their digestive tract, particularly on the small intestine. If you had surgery to remove part of your colon, chances are good that you’d have some kind of post-operative complications. It’s quite common for patients to report feeling worse after having abdominal surgery. Other causes of IBS could include eating food that triggers IBS symptoms, drinking alcohol, taking certain medications, smoking cigarettes, being pregnant, suffering from chronic anxiety, or experiencing severe emotional trauma.
Home Remedies For IBS
Home remedies can help manage mild cases of IBS. You may try taking ginger tea, drinking peppermint tea, eating fiber-rich foods, avoiding caffeine, and increasing water intake. You can also take supplements containing vitamin B12, magnesium, and zinc.
Prevention
The best way to prevent IBS is to avoid triggers. If you have any questions about what foods cause your symptoms, talk to your doctor about testing you for food sensitivities. You may want to try eliminating certain foods from your diet until you find out if they trigger your symptoms.
In addition to avoiding triggers, here are some tips to help manage your symptoms:
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than three big ones.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Keep your bowels moving by taking a fiber supplement.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Get enough sleep each night.
Risk Factors for IBS
Risk factors for IBS include:
- Stressful life events
- Diet high in fat and/or refined sugar
- Hormonal imbalances
- Infection
- Medications
- Lifestyle choices
- Genetics
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Other medical conditions
- Family history
- Gender
- Age
Is there any cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- Probiotics: Probiotic bacteria are live microorganisms that aid in maintaining gut health. When probiotics are present in sufficient amounts they help maintain a balanced intestinal environment by competing with pathogenic organisms for food and space.
- Prebiotics: Prebiotics are non-digestible foods that act as substrates for probiotic bacteria. Inulin, FOS, GOS, and oligosaccharides are examples of prebiotics.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria. There are many different types of antibiotics including penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, vancomycin, etc.
- Fiber: Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested by humans. It helps keep our digestive system moving along smoothly and aids in regular elimination. You should eat a high-fiber diet. Foods rich in dietary fiber include whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans.
- Psyllium Husk Powder: Psyllium husks are ground fibers derived from the seedpods of the psyllium plant. Psyllium husks are often referred to as “fiber” although they do not provide any calories or nutritional value. Psyllium husk powder contains soluble and insoluble forms of psyllium. Soluble psyllium binds water and increases stool bulk while insoluble psyllium provides mechanical action in the intestines. Both forms of psyllium work together to increase stool volume and soften stools.
- Ginger Root: Ginger root is a member of the Zingiberaceae family and is native to Southeast Asia. It is commonly known as ginger and is used extensively throughout Asian cuisine. Ginger root stimulates digestion and relieves nausea and vomiting. It is also believed to stimulate peristalsis, which promotes the movement of food through the GI tract.
Final sum up,
Millions of people worldwide suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). You may need to have a diet change if you have IBS. If you find your stool hardens then you should consider taking some probiotics such as Lactobacillus Reuteri. Probiotics help you fight off infections in the digestive tract & prevent harmful bacteria from getting inside the body. To get relief from IBS, it’s important to maintain good digestion. Here are some tips to do that:
Eat lots of fiber-rich food to give your intestines plenty of time to empty. Fiber helps bulk up your stool and make it softer. Foods high in soluble fibers include applesauce, prunes, oats, barley, and oatmeal. Fruits and veggies are great choices!
Have three small meals per day rather than five smaller ones. Your stomach doesn’t digest food well if it is empty between meals!
Don’t drink anything before bedtime. Alcohol upsets your sleep patterns, making it difficult to fall asleep easily and stay asleep.
Increase fluid intake. Not only does staying hydrated improve digestion and reduce cramps, but it also prevents dehydration. Dehydration causes loose stools and makes them harder and dryer. Flush excess sodium out of your system, too. Drinking plain water alone isn’t enough; mix in lemon juice, tomato juice, or even coconut water if you want something extra special.
Also, ensure you get regular exercise at least once a week. Exercising stimulates blood flow and gets rid of toxins in your body. Staying active keeps your muscles toned and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. As always, consult your doctor if you think you might have IBS.
