Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS is a prevalent functional disorder of the gut. A functional disorder betokens there is a problem with the function of a component of the body, but there is no abnormality in the structure. So, in IBS, the function of the gut is upset, but all components of the gut look like normal, even when optically canvassed under a microscope. IBS causes sundry symptoms.
IBS may affect anyone at any age, but commonly in first develops in adolescent adults. IBS is slightly more prevalent in women than it is in men.
Causes of IBS
The exact cause is unknown, but most experts think it’s cognate to an enhanced sensitivity of the gut and problems digesting food.
These problems may betoken that you are more sensitive to pain coming from your gut, and you may become constipated or have diarrhoea because your food passes through gut either slowly or quickly.
Psychological factors such as stress may play a component in IBS.
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Symptoms of IBS
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) can vary from person to person and often resemble those of other diseases. Most common symptoms are:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Gas
- A bloated feeling
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Mucus in the stool
IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when signs and symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely.
Risk Factors of IBS
Overall, about twice as many women as men have the condition.
- IBS tends to occur in people under age 45.
- The family history of IBS-Studies shows that people who have a family member with IBS may at risk of the condition.
- Mental health problem-Anxiety, depression, a personality disorder and the history of childhood sexual abuse are risk factors.
Diagnosing of IBS
There are no categorical tests for IBS, as it does not cause any conspicuous detectable abnormalities in your digestive system.
In most cases, the diagnosis will be predicated on whether you have typical symptoms of IBS.
Your physicians will consider assessing you for IBS if have had any of the following symptoms for at least six months:
Abdominal (stomach) pain or discomfort
Bloating
Change in bowel habit – such as passing stools more frequently, diarrhea and/or constipation
Diagnosis of IBS will consider if have stomach pain or discomfort that is either relieved by passing stools or is associated with the need to go to the toilet frequently or change in the consistency of your stools.
your physicians may arrange blood tests to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as an infection or coeliac disease.
A sample of stools will also often be tested for the presence of a substance called calprotectin. This substance is engendered by the gut when it is inflamed, and its presence in stools could mean your symptoms are being caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Investigating ‘red flags’
Further tests may need when you have certain “red flag” symptoms that denote you may have a potentially more earnest condition, such as cancer. These symptoms include:
Unexplained weight loss
Bleeding from your back passage (rectum)
Swelling or lump in your stomach or back passage
Anaemia
Further testing may additionally be recommended if you have a family history of bowel cancer or ovarian cancer, or you are over 60 years of age and have had a change in bowel habits that has lasted for more than six weeks.
In these cases, your physician’s recommend having a colonoscopy to check for abnormalities in the gut. This is where your rectum and astronomically immense bowel (colon) are examined utilizing an endoscope, which is inserted into your rectum.
Treatment of IBS
There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome, but symptoms can often be managed by making changes in diet and lifestyle.
For example, it may help you:
- Identify foods or drinks that trigger your symptoms
- Alter the amount of fiber in the diet
- Exercising regularly conventionally
- Reduce stress levels
Medication is sometimes prescribed for IBS to treat the individual symptoms they experience.
Medication
A number of different medications can be habituated to treat IBS, including:
- Antispasmodics – which avail reduce abdominal pain and cramping
- Laxatives – which can avail mitigate constipation
- Antimotility medicines – which can avail relieve diarrhea
- low-dose antidepressants – which were pristinely designed to treat depression, but can additionally avail reduce stomach pain and cramping independent of any antidepressant effect.
