IBS Syndrome Explained
Susan Reynolds
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a disorder of the
gastrointestinal tract that results to recurrent upper and
lower gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common symptoms of
IBS syndrome include abdominal pain and altered bowel movement
such asconstipation, diarrhea or both.
There is still no clear cause of IBS that is why it is termed
as a functional disorder since there are no signs in the bowel
and yet changes are observed from its previous functional
quality. Irritable Bowel Disorder may cause a great deal of
discomfort and distress but will not result in permanent harm
to the bowel and does not increase chances of cancer.
The good news with IBS is the fact that it can be cured by
means of diet and medication. Irritable Bowel Syndrome can
happen during any period of one’s life. The exact cause of IBS
is not yet fully known however similar conditions in children
have been observed and are believed to be the portent of adult
IBS.
Some factors like emotional conflict or stress tend to
aggravate IBS symptoms but research findings have shown
contrasting results. Emotional conflicts are no longer accepted
as factors that cause IBS.
In addition, studies also show that patients with IBS tend to
develop overly sensitive bowels compared to those without IBS.
It has been observed that patients with IBS even with minimal
stimulation may easily distress their intestinal muscles.
Accordingly, patients with IBS may strongly react to a stimulus
that does not normally aggravate the bowels of a normal healthy
individual.
Ordinary occurrence in the large intestines such as eating or
gas production may have adverse effect on the colon of an IBS
patient. Certain medications as well as food may trigger IBS
symptoms. Most of the foods that trigger IBS symptoms are
chocolates, fatty foods, dairy products as well as grain
containing products and even alcohol may aggravate and then
trigger IBS symptoms.
Caffeine may have laxative effects to some, but for IBS
patients it is just one of those products that offend their
digestive tract. Likewise, IBS is predominant to women with
menstrual periods since reproductive hormones are believed to
influence the course of IBS.
There are two types of IBS and these are diarrhea-predominant
IBS and constipation-predominant IBS. These two types of IBS
suggest that chronic diarrhea and chronic constipation may be
examined through the bacteria derived from bowel samples. And
since metronidazole and vancomycin (both antibiotics) are
effective in reducing diarrhea and constipation IBS, it is a
clear indication that an overgrowth of bacteria in the bowel
flora may actually cause IBS. Likewise, progressive nerve
damage can develop and is exhibited by some patients with
chronic constipation.
It is really hard to pinpoint normal a bowel movement since
various people have their own normal frequency. There may be
some people whose normal bowel movement involves three stools a
day while others may move their bowels everyday upon waking up.
A healthy bowel movement is one that is formed but not hard,
contains no blood and flushes out of the colon without
unnecessary cramps or pain.
If you suspect you are suffering with IBS, you should first
consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.
About The Author: Susan Reynolds. To sign up for a Free IBS
Newsletter please visit
http://www.natural-irritable-bowel-syndrome-relief.com
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