Irritable Bowel Syndrome Disease

Facts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Basic facts know about irritable bowel syndrome disease Irritable bowel syndrome disease is a condition in the intestines and colon in which the body doesn't properly absorb fluids from the food that passes through it. Sometimes the colon absorbs too much fluid, resulting in constipation. At other times, the colon doesn't absorb enough fluid, resulting in diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome disease is also sometimes called a spastic colon or irritable colon.

The worst thing about irritable bowel syndrome, most IBS sufferers will say, is cramping, abdomen pain, and stomach bloating. It does not, however, appear to do permanent damage to the colon or overall digestive system.

It's believed that approximately 1 American out of every 5 has symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome disease, although in many cases those symptoms are mild or barely even noticeable. More women have IBS than men, and it begins before age 35 in about half the people who experience it.

IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications.

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome disease As many as 20 percent of the adult population, or one in five Americans, have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome disease, making it one of the most common colon disorders diagnosed by doctors. Symptoms of irritable syndrome in women are more common than in men. IBS begins before the age of 35 in about 50 percent of people.

Irritable bowel syndrome signs can usually be controlled with lifestyle changes: healthier diet, exercise, and stress management. Prescription medications are appropriate in some cases.

Abdominal pain or discomfort for at least 12 weeks out of the previous 12 months is usually a pretty good indication of IBS. These 12 weeks do not have to be consecutive.

Doctors would also look for abdominal pain characterized by at least two of the following:

• Relief occurs by having a bowel movement.
• When you begin to experience abdominal discomfort, there is a also change in how often you have a bowel movement.
• You notice a change in the form of the stool or the way it looks.

Other irritable bowel syndrome signs must also be present. For example:

• a change in appearance of bowel movements
• a change in frequency of bowel movements
• bloating
• difficulty or inability to pass stool
• feelings of uncontrollable urgency to have a bowel movement
• mucus in the stool

The following irritable bowel syndrome signs may indicate that a case of IBS is becoming more severe:

• bloating from gas in the colon
• drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, or colas
• large meals
• medicines
• stress, conflict, or emotional upsets
• wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products, or alcohol

Women with irritable bowel syndrome disease may have more symptoms during their menstrual periods. Although the exact reasons are unclear, researchers believe that a woman's reproductive hormones may trigger more pronounced IBS problems.

Depression and anxiety are also common among IBS sufferers, and these tend to make symptoms worse.

What are the causes of irritable bowel syndrome? Researchers haven't yet been able to nail down the exact physiological cause of irritable bowel syndrome disease. There's a theory that the colon or intestines in people who have irritable bowel syndrome disease may be unusually sensitive to certain foods. Stress may also be a factor.

Spasms in the colon sometimes occur which could make it more difficult to move food along. If the food stays in one place too long, a problem is likely to develop because it won't be processed properly.

People with celiac disease may be more likely to develop IBS. Celiac disease indicates the inability to digest gluten, a substance found in wheat, rye, and barley. These foods can make a person with celiac disease extremely sick because their immune system responds by damaging their small intestine.

There has been some research that seems to indicate that irritable bowel syndrome disease may be caused by a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. It's not unusual for people who have had gastroenteritis to develop IBS.

Finally, a malfunctioning immune system may also be a factor. The immune system might cause changes in the epithelium, which is the lining of the colon which regulates the flow of fluids. If this flow is out a balance, IBS is likely.

Researchers have also found very mild celiac disease in some people with symptoms similar to IBS. People with celiac disease cannot digest gluten.

How to diagnose of irritable bowel syndrome disease There's no specific test for IBS. It's usually diagnosed through a conversation with your doctor, involving a discussion of symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history.

There are however, several tools that can help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome disease by narrowing the possibilities, including a stool sample, blood tests, and certain kinds of X-rays. The doctor might also want to perform a sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy.

Bleeding, fever, weight loss, and persistent severe pain are not typical of IBS. These may be symptoms of other problems such as inflammation, or rarely, colon cancer.

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