7 Things you need to know about “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”

So many people experience regular abdominal pain and frequent bouts of diarrhea and/or constipation, but what many don’t realize is that it could be the result of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Additionally, many don’t realize just how serious this medical condition really is, rather than only being an inconvenience at times. In order to help you determine whether or not you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, here are seven things you need to know:

1) Irritable Bowel Syndrome is more common than you think.
It is estimated that approximately 25 to 50 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. Furthermore, IBS is more prevalent among women than it is among men. Of those who suffer from this condition, 60% are women while the remaining 40% are men. One should also bear in mind that this condition can affect anyone, irrespective of age.

2) The exact cause of IBS remains a mystery.
Contrary to what many people believe, IBS is not a condition caused solely by stress, although stress can of course make the condition worse. Many medical professionals have suggested that the condition is brought about due to a disturbance occurring between the brain, the digestive system, and the nervous system. Even so, the root cause has yet to be pinpointed.

3) IBS Symptoms are not always the same.
The symptoms of IBS can vary significantly between one person and the next. While some people may experience constipation, others suffer from severe diarrhea on a regular basis. In fact, some people experience both of these symptoms regularly. Unfortunately, irrespective of how the condition effects you, pain is virtually inevitable, and while it may be relatively mild in some cases, it can be extremely severe than others.

4) There is currently no known cure for IBS.
Even though the condition can be controlled to a certain extent through a combination of medication and stress management, the minute a person stops taking medication, or their stress levels rise, they begin experiencing the symptoms again.   (That is why I don’t recommend this way of training IBS!)

5) IBS is often left unreported.
Surprisingly enough, the vast majority of people who suffer from this condition, do so for many years before they seek help. This is possibly due to the fact that many people are embarrassed about the condition. This is also why some people do report it but they don’t make it perfectly clear just how severe their symptoms really are.

6) IBS is becoming more and more common.
Gastroenterologists have declared that between 20 to 40% of all their patients are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and are in agreement that most fail to seek help simply because they feel ashamed.

7) IBS should only be diagnosed by a qualified health care professional.
If you or anyone close to you regularly suffers from abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or excessive gas, you should immediately go and see a doctor. Irrespective of whether or not you are diagnosed as having IBS, a doctor would at least be able to check you for other, more serious, health issues.