What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome - It's Symptoms and Causes

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a common gastric disorder that affects about 10% to 20% of Americans at some point in their lives. It mainly causes cramping pain in the abdominal area, gas, bloating and changes in bowel habits. Some people with IBS also suffer from constipation and/or diarrhea. Sometimes IBS is also referred to as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, irritable colon or functional bowel disease. Most of these terms are however, inaccurate.

The term Irritable Bowel Syndrome refers to a collection of symptoms with no obvious cause. It is not a disease, but a syndrome. A syndrome is defined as a group of symptoms that occur together. People with IBS seem to have perfectly healthy digestive tracks, but for some reason they frequently develop cramping pain in their lower abdomen along with either diarrhea or constipation. The symptoms of IBS tend to come and go and can occur in any combination. Women for some reason are more likely than men to have this disorder and its symptoms usually start before the age of 50.

Irritable bowel syndrome is often referred to as a multi-faceted disorder. In people who get IBS, symptoms appear as a result of what seem to gastroenterologists, to be a disturbance in the interaction between the intestines, brain, and the autonomic nervous system that regulates bowel functioning.

For many years, doctors thought irritable bowel syndrome was a condition that existed in the minds of people, as most patients always had normal physical exams. Researchers however now suspect the problem springs from a communication breakdown between the nerves and muscles that control the colon. Without the proper control, the contractions that move waste through the colon can speed up, or alternately slow down. The colon also becomes extremely sensitive, and even normal contractions can cause considerable pain.

Stress and anxiety do not cause irritable bowel syndrome, but they can aggravate symptoms and make them much worse. Some people also react strongly to certain foods and drinks, especially fatty foods, dairy products, alcohol or caffeine.

Cause

The cause of IBS is not known, and currently there is no cure. Doctors call IBS a functional disorder because there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined. IBS may cause a lot of discomfort and distress, but it does not cause permanent harm to the intestines and does not lead to intestinal bleeding or any form of gastric cancer. Researchers have found that women with IBS have more symptoms during their menstrual periods, suggesting that reproductive hormones can intensify IBS symptoms.

For most IBS can cause mild frustration, but for some it can be extremely crippling. Most people with IBS, however, are able to control their symptoms through medication, diet, and stress management.

Symptoms

It is important to note that people with IBS do not have what is called normal bowel function. The symptoms of this disorder vary from person to person.

People with IBS usually suffer from;

• Abdominal discomfort, pain or cramps
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Feeling of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement
• Altered stool form (hard/lumpy or loose/watery)
• Altered stool passage (straining or urgency)

It has been established that IBS does not to lead to or is linked with any serious inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. IBS does not lead to cancer. There are treatment options are available to manage IBS. Change in dietary habits, managing stress and medication all help alleviate the symptoms of this disorder.