Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptom, Diet, Treatment, Cause, Medication and Cure Information
Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very upsetting and common condition. It is not linked to any serious disease but its symptoms are distressing and it is often difficult to accept that there is nothing dangerous going on.
IBS occurs because the muscles that lie in the long tube of the bowel (also known as the gut or intestine) don't function well and become uncoordinated. This means that part of the bowel at the top might want to push the food onwards but because the bit below hasn't relaxed the top pushes harder and harder, becoming more and more blown up with food. The distended part of the bowel feels bloated while the tight bit below is in spasm and is very painful.
Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
No one knows what actually causes IBS but both diet and stress are undoubtedly factors. Different diets can affect individuals in different ways, and although a particular diet can help one person with IBS it will not necessarily help another. Stress causes different symptoms in different people. Some people experience headaches, palpitations or panic attacks when they are stressed. IBS sufferers may have a bad, painful bout of their condition.
There is little doubt that IBS varies in its severity among sufferers, and there are good and bad spells. Sometimes there are no obvious triggers, or IBS itself may be a trigger. It is easy to become anxious that these bowel symptoms are suggestive of something sinister going on and so stress builds up and the condition may worsen.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptom
- Pain in the abdomen which varies hourly and daily
- Alternating constipation and diarrhoe
- Bloating
- Feeling that the bowel isn't properly emptied
- Small, rabbit-lik epellets of faeces
- Relief from pain after passing a stool or wind
Muscle dysfunction
Irritable bowel syndrome often results from erratic contractions of the muscles in the walls of the intestines. Peristalsis, the wavelike action that propels food through the digestive system, becomes irregular, causing constipation, diarrhoea and pain.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet
There are no right or wrong foods for people with IBS. It is a matter of tracking down the foods that suit best and eliminating others that cause upset. Leave time to eat meals slowly and enjoy them, ensuring that you consume foods that suit you. The amount of fibre we need in the diet varies between individuals.
Most people find that a diet with a reasonable quantity of fibre, reduced amounts of refined sugars (such as biscuits and cakes) and small amounts of fatty foods works best. Peppermint tea is often useful and may be very soothing at stressful times.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Medication
In IBS medicines may be needed if one aspect of the condition becomes disabling, such as profuse diarrhoea. Severe constipation may require the use of gentle laxatives - bulk-forming laxatives rather than irritative ones are best.
Spasm and pain may both be treated by medication, of which there are many types. Peppermint oil, in the form of capsules, can be very soothing and help prevent spasm.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Treatment
It is impossible to avoid stress in today's world but discovering different ways of dealing with it may be helpful. Avoid rushing by allowing plenty of time for a journey, or travel by train rather than driving. Putting aside half an hour a day for calm pursuits such as reading, painting, or doing crosswords or jigsaw puzzles is important. Regular gentle exercise may help. A ten-minute stroll, rather than strenuous jogging, may be best.
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