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A Brief Overview Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
by Kirsten
Whittaker
IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition effecting up to
20% of the population and the numbers are rising. There are more
women sufferers than men and the age that it commonly starts is at
around twenty. It is classed as a ‘functional’ disorder as it alters
the way the body works and therefore is not diagnosable using
traditional means such as examination or blood test.
It is not a commonly understood condition, with the medical
community unable to clarify the exact cause. IBS appears to occur
due to the body’s inability to regulate the bowel functions
correctly. This leads to a number of unpleasant symptoms such as
abdominal pain, cramping, excessive wind and irregular bowel
movements including constipation and/or diarrhoea. However, there
are treatments available to allow sufferers to manage their
symptoms.
If you start to notice irregular bowel movements or suffer prolonged
abdominal discomfort you could be suffering from Irritable Bowel
Syndrome. Keeping a diary to monitor food intake, exercise and
stress levels is a good idea to track anything that may exacerbate
your symptoms. When diagnosing IBS your medical practitioner will
ask you for a general history of your bowel movements so keeping
records will come in handy.
Certain foods are also recognized as triggers for IBS, such as fatty
foods, caffeine and dairy products. Keeping a food diary will help
you identify if eating these foods cause your symptoms to flare up
and you can eliminate them in line with advice from your doctor.
Some foods can conversely be helpful in easing the symptoms of IBS,
namely foods high in fiber. For example, bran, cereals, fruit and
vegetables. Try introducing these foods into your diet, in small
quantities first to allow your digestive system time to adjust. They
will be particularly helpful if you suffer from constipation as they
make stools soft and bulky and easier to pass.
Eating little and often has also been proven to relieve symptoms in
some IBS sufferers. Try spreading your food intake over 5 meals a
day. Eating too much in one sitting can bring on cramping and
diarrhea for people at risk from IBS.
Although not the cause of irritable bowel syndrome, stress can be a
contributing factor to its symptoms. Try to introduce some
relaxation techniques into your day such as meditation, yoga,
exercise or any activity that you enjoy.
There are medications available that play a role in relieving the
symptoms. Fiber supplements or laxatives are sometimes prescribed
for constipation, there are also drugs available to reduce diarrhea
and control colon muscle spasms. Antidepressants may also be
prescribed. Your doctor will talk through the most appropriate
approach for you to take, determined by the symptoms that you suffer
from.
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