A combination of pain, discomfort in the belly, and trouble with bowel habits is known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The most common symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, and different kinds of stool (including soft, liquid, hard, or thin). Other names for this condition include IBS colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, nervous colon, and spastic bowel.
While this condition is not life-threatening it may interact with your daily routine. For instance, you may need to shift to work at home or not work at all, miss work or school, and others. In addition, those who suffer from IBS are not more likely to develop other colon diseases including Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, or ulcerative colitis.
IBS Types
Experts divided this condition into 4 groups. For example:
- IBS with constipation or IBS-C
- IBS with diarrhea or IBS-D
- Combined IBS (it means a person experiences either diarrhea or constipation repeatedly)
- IBS-U (in such cases people experience a different IBS type, which does not fit into one from above)
Symptoms
The primary IBS symptoms include diarrhea and constipation. However, you may notice other symptoms too. For example:
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Bloating or gas
- Looser or harder stools
- Mucus in the poop
- Food intolerance
- Anxiety
- Tiredness
- Depression
- Headaches
- Increased urinating
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
There are other factors that also can provoke IBS symptoms. For example, women may notice some additional symptoms during their periods while others can experience urinary or sexual problems. In addition, a worsening factor of the symptoms is stress.
However, children can also experience this condition and experience symptoms. Check below some symptoms that happen in children:
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Mucus in the poop
- Belly pain or discomfort
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Frequent need to poop
Furthermore, children may experience some concerning symptoms, which means they have a more serious health problem. For example:
- Painful swallowing
- Arthritis
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Delayed puberty
- Slower growth
- Unexplained weight loss
In such cases, you should visit a doctor immediately.
What is The Difference between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Many people think these conditions are the same but not. They only share a few symptoms including discomfort in the belly and diarrhea. Both bowel conditions are chronic and are not curable. However, IBD is a more serious disease because the inflammation provokes damage to the intestines and elevates the risk of colorectal cancer.
Causes
There are different factors that can trigger IBS symptoms. In any case, experts do not know the exact cause of this bowel condition. Some research suggests that the bowel becomes hypersensitive and overreacting to stimulation. As a result, diarrhea and constipation occur. Additionally, some researchers continue to study if the bacteria in the bowels can provoke IBS.
Risk Factors
Roughly 25-45 million people suffer from IBS in the United States. Check below some factors that increase the risk of getting IBS:
- Your sex – Women and people assigned to females at birth (AFAB) are more prone to develop IBS than men and people assigned to males at birth (AMAB).
- Age – Teens and people until 40 years old are more likely to develop IBS.
- Family history – There are some studies that show genes also play a role in IBS development. This bowel disease seems to begin in families.
- Emotional problems – Traumatic events (such as sexual abuse or domestic violence), mental disorders, and stress increase the risk of IBS. However, it is not clear what appears first IBS or stress.
- Food sensitivities – Some people may experience digestive problems when eating dairy, wheat, and fruits (fructose). However, there is no evidence that these foods provoke IBS but they can trigger symptoms.
- Medicines – Some studies showed that antibiotics, antidepressants, and medications produced with sorbitol can provoke IBS symptoms.
- Digestive problems including stomach flu, food poisoning, or Traveler’s diarrhea
- Chronic pain conditions – There are some diseases that provoke pain and are linked to IBS. For example chronic pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis (leads to bladder pain), migraine, temporomandibular syndrome (causes pain when chewing), and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Diagnosis
There are no laboratory tests that can diagnose this condition and doctors will ask you about the symptoms and medical history. They also will perform some tests to exclude the following conditions. For example:
- Using of medicines (including blood pressure medicines, iron, and antacids)
- Infections
- Food allergies or intolerances (including lactose intolerance)
- Enzyme deficiencies
- Inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
In addition, your doctor may perform the following tests to diagnose IBS. Check below some examples:
- X-rays
- Upper endoscopy (if you experience indigestion or heartburn)
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (helps to determine if you have inflammation or blockages in the intestines)
- Blood tests (are done to check for anemia, thyroid problems, and infections)
- Stool tests are performed by doctors to check for blood or infections
- Tests for lactose intolerance, gluten allergy, or celiac disease
- Tests that help to verify if you have problems with bowel muscles
Treatment
The treatment often is different among people and doctors need time to find the best one for you. However, there are many IBS symptom triggers such as foods, medicines, emotional stress, and others. Therefore, some lifestyle changes can help to prevent or avoid IBS symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
In most cases, IBS improves with the following lifestyle changes. Examples include:
- Avoid caffeine and products that contain it (such as tea, soda, coffee, and others)
- Adopt a diet with fiber (including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts). However, you should be careful because adding too much fiber to the diet may lead to bloating and gas.
- Quit smoking or never start
- Drink plenty of water
- Learn about reducing stress exercises (such as meditation, visualization, positive imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and others)
- Have a healthy sleep cycle
- Regular exercise
- Do not drink carbonated beverages
- Try to eat more small meals than one but big
Therapy
In most cases, those who have IBS also experience depression and anxiety. Therefore, managing mental problems can relieve IBS symptoms. Check below some treatment options for anxiety and depression:
- Biofeedback
- Hypnotherapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Medicines
Healthcare professionals prescribe often the following medicines for IBS treatment. For example:
- Antibiotics – Including Rifaximin
- Bulking Agents – Such as wheat bran, corn fiber, and psyllium. These help food move slowly through the digestive system thereby, relieving symptoms.
Additionally, healthcare providers may prescribe medications to lessen the symptoms. Check below some of them:
- Belly bloating and pain (such as antispasmodics, antidepressants, and probiotics)
- Constipation (including Linaclotide, Lubiprostone, Plecanatide, Polyethylene glycol, Tegaserod, and Tenapanor)
- Diarrhea (such as Alosetron, bile acid sequestrants, Eluxadoline, and Loperamide)
Triggers
Check below some triggers that usually provoke IBS symptoms:
- Caffeine
- Poor sleep
- Menstrual periods
- Stress
- Milk and products that contain it
- Carbonated drinks
- Drinks and foods high in fructose
- Wheat
- Artificial sweeteners
- Alcohol
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Onions, leeks, and shallots
- Beans or legumes
However, there are so many possible triggers that may lead to IBS symptoms. One way to determine all triggers is to have a journal or diary track.
Complications
Fortunately, IBS does not provoke any life-threatening complications. Check below some health problems IBS can cause:
- In case you experience IBS for long periods it may lead to fecal impaction.
- Food intolerance
- Malnourishment
- Hemorrhoids
- Pregnancy complications
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental disorders (including depression and anxiety)
- If you have diarrhea for a long period you may experience dehydration. Drink plenty of water if you or your doctor suspect you have IBS
Frequently Asked Questions
What are IBS causes?
Healthcare providers do not know the exact cause but they think the way how the brain and digestive system communicate may play a role in IBS development. In addition, the following factors also can contribute to IBS. For example stressful situations in childhood, food intolerances, severe infections, and gut bacteria.
What are the IBS symptoms?
The main IBS symptoms include diarrhea and constipation. However, some people may also experience flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, and cramps.
Is IBS a curable condition?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this bowel condition. In any case, early diagnosis and treatment can help to reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life. In case you have any other questions, ask your doctor.
