Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom
July 13, 2009 by Admin
Filed under IBS - Free Content
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic digestive disorder, which presents with altered bowel habits, alternating between periods of constipation and diarrhea. Stools may be soft and watery or hard and lumpy and the frequency and the urgency of bowel movements are effected.
The cause of IBS is not known, although it is speculated that it is a neurotransmitter miscommunication between the bowel and the brain that may be causing the problem.
One thing that is known is those with IBS seem to be hypersensitive to diet or movements in the bowel, and there are generally abnormalities in the motor functions in the bowel.
The bowel is responsible for the formation and storage of stool so any abnormality to the functions it carries out can have adverse effects on the stool passage, frequency and consistency.
The condition is not a disease but a group of symptoms, and this is why it is referred to as a syndrome. The symptoms tend to be physical in nature although psychological methods of treatment should not be ruled out as they have shown to be helpful and effective.
The symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or cramping, which is usually felt in the lower region of the bowel. This pain may be incessant or intermittent and can range from mild to severe. The onset usually occurs together with changes in bowel movement pattern.
There are three classifications of IBS, they are constipation predominant (IBS-C), diarrhea predominant (IBS-D) or if the person fluctuates between constipation and diarrhea, they are referred to as having alternating stool patterns (IBS-A). It is most common to be either constipation or diarrhea predominant and generally those symptoms will not change until the irritable bowel syndrome is relieved.
Often defecating can alleviate the crampy stomach pains and bloating. Interestingly, relaxation of the gut can also bring relief, which is why when a person is sleeping the symptoms generally do not occur. Gut motility (movement) is virtually absent during sleep and sudden bowel movement does not normally occur during sleep as muscles in the intestines are also relaxed.
Other, less common symptoms may appear; symptoms including nausea with the pain, vomiting with abdominal distension. If any of these symptoms continue, or any of the following symptoms occur then speak with your doctor immediately: blood in mucus upon stool passage and swollen and painful joints.
Due to its similarity to other conditions properly diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome becomes a process of elimination. All other possible causes of the symptoms must be investigated and eliminated one by one as there is no single diagnostic test that can immediately point to IBS.
Continue reading to discover natural methods to relieve IBS by signing up for our free newsletter below.
Although it is one of the most common disorders, several similar symptoms can be present in other more severe diseases, as well, which is why it is usually only diagnosed after all other tests and results have been negative.
It is worth pointing out that IBS has not been found to cause any damage to the gut, and once the triggers and therefore the symptoms are managed successfully, the chances of the condition reoccurring are reduced.
Irritable bowel syndrome symptom relief is available after diagnosis by following a plan that identifies triggers that cause symptoms, and alleviating the symptoms as they arrive. In this way both the causes and the effects of the condition can be managed.
By: Susan Reynolds
About the Author:
Effective Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
June 20, 2009 by Admin
Filed under IBS - Free Content
As soon as you notice some of the above mentioned symptoms, you need to take medical help. This will work towards treating the problem at an early stage and let you get immediate and long lasting relief.
Visiting a physician will let you know whether you are actually affected by the disease. The disease is diagnosed via analyzing the medical history of the patient and also by looking at the symptoms covered under irritable bowel syndrome.
When it comes to testing irritable bowel syndrome, there is no specific test that can diagnose the problem. The expert can make use of several tests in order to make out the presence of the disease.
One may have to go through some common tests including X-rays, blood test, stool sample testing, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Usually, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are more prevalent for testing irritable bowel syndrome.
Both these procedures are undertaken by inserting a small tube. This tube is flexible and comes with attached camera. The tube is inserted in to anus. The image is registered on the screen connected to the tube. This facilitates the physician to get a close look in to the colon.
In case, the tests are negative, the physician will diagnose you on several other symptoms that you must have experienced in last some months. Some questions will be asked related to the frequency and intensity of attacks. You may also be inquired about the consistency of stool and changes in bowel functions.
Once the condition is confirmed, most patients tend to panic. However, there is no need to react in this way because the condition can be easily treated these days. There are several treatment options available these days.
Here are some of the common treatment options available for providing relief to patients from irritable bowel syndrome symptoms:
i) Lifestyle change
This is very important for treating irritable bowel syndrome. Here, you need to take good control over what you eat. Make sure that you include fiber supplements such as Psyllium or methylcellulose with fluids in order to facilitate constipation control. You should eliminate high-gas foods such as raw fruits vegetables, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower in your diet.
ii) Medication
The doctor would prescribe you anti-diarrhea and anti-cholinergic medication. You may also require to take anti-depressants medications to curb pain or depression.
iii) Counseling
In case, none of the antidepressant medications work, you may go for some counseling to eliminate stress.
iv) Natural fiber foods
It is very important to include fiber rich foods in your diet to cure irritable bowel syndrome naturally. Try to include a lot of water in your diet. This will help in finding out the toxins present inside the body.
Irritable bowel syndrome can be treated well if detected on time. Make sure that you follow advice of your medical practitioner.
By: Bertil Hjert
About the Author:
For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about Irritable Bowel Syndrome please visit IRRITABLE BOWEL ADVICE and ACID REFLUX EXPERT
Effective Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
June 19, 2009 by Admin
Filed under IBS - Free Content
As soon as you notice some of the above mentioned symptoms, you need to take medical help. This will work towards treating the problem at an early stage and let you get immediate and long lasting relief.
Visiting a physician will let you know whether you are actually affected by the disease. The disease is diagnosed via analyzing the medical history of the patient and also by looking at the symptoms covered under irritable bowel syndrome.
When it comes to testing irritable bowel syndrome, there is no specific test that can diagnose the problem. The expert can make use of several tests in order to make out the presence of the disease.
One may have to go through some common tests including X-rays, blood test, stool sample testing, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Usually, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are more prevalent for testing irritable bowel syndrome.
Both these procedures are undertaken by inserting a small tube. This tube is flexible and comes with attached camera. The tube is inserted in to anus. The image is registered on the screen connected to the tube. This facilitates the physician to get a close look in to the colon.
In case, the tests are negative, the physician will diagnose you on several other symptoms that you must have experienced in last some months. Some questions will be asked related to the frequency and intensity of attacks. You may also be inquired about the consistency of stool and changes in bowel functions.
Once the condition is confirmed, most patients tend to panic. However, there is no need to react in this way because the condition can be easily treated these days. There are several treatment options available these days.
Here are some of the common treatment options available for providing relief to patients from irritable bowel syndrome symptoms:
i) Lifestyle change
This is very important for treating irritable bowel syndrome. Here, you need to take good control over what you eat. Make sure that you include fiber supplements such as Psyllium or methylcellulose with fluids in order to facilitate constipation control. You should eliminate high-gas foods such as raw fruits vegetables, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower in your diet.
ii) Medication
The doctor would prescribe you anti-diarrhea and anti-cholinergic medication. You may also require to take anti-depressants medications to curb pain or depression.
iii) Counseling
In case, none of the antidepressant medications work, you may go for some counseling to eliminate stress.
iv) Natural fiber foods
It is very important to include fiber rich foods in your diet to cure irritable bowel syndrome naturally. Try to include a lot of water in your diet. This will help in finding out the toxins present inside the body.
Irritable bowel syndrome can be treated well if detected on time. Make sure that you follow advice of your medical practitioner.
By: Bertil Hjert
About the Author:
For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about Irritable Bowel Syndrome please visit IRRITABLE BOWEL ADVICE and ACID REFLUX EXPERT
Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
June 18, 2009 by Admin
Filed under IBS - Free Content
IBS, a disorder which is most commonly diagnosed by gastroenterologists, affects people of all ages and ethnicities. However, women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to experience the condition, although researchers are still unsure as to why. IBS in women is often associated with their menstrual cycle, although it can occur at any time.
“Irritable bowel” refers to disturbances or changes in regular bowel function, and the word “syndrome” indicates that there are a number of signs rather than one exclusive symptom that characterizes the condition. While everyone may have an occasional disturbance of the bowel and its functioning from time to time, people afflicted with IBS experience more severe symptoms that are frequent and occur on a regular basis.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary in intensity and location, although the lower abdomen is where the most “activity” occurs. IBS is characterized by a series of symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, gas-like cramping, reoccurring or chronic diarrhea and changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel patterns. Nausea, bloating, gas, and constipation alternating with diarrhea are also commonly reported symptoms of IBS.
25-50% of IBS patients also report that they experience regular heartburn along with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Many people suffering with IBS also report a number of signs that are non-gastrointestinal in nature such as muscle pain, sexual dysfunction, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Lower backaches and headaches are also commonly reported symptoms from those with severe cases of IBS.
The symptoms of IBS are likely to mimic those of many other disorders, which is why a proper diagnosis by a physician is essential. Clinical tests that depend on factors such as your age, overall health, your family history, as well as your reoccurring symptoms can be conducted to rule out other conditions. Symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, and continual pain are NOT signs of IBS and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
The signs or symptoms of IBS occur due to a disturbance in function between the brain and the gastrointestinal system, which is why IBS is classified as a “functional” disorder. People suffering from the condition appear to have no physical signs of disease such as structural abnormalities that can be detected by medical tests.
Experts believe that there is a disorder or some form of miscommunication between the interactions of the brain and the intestinal system, which ultimately affects movement and the sensitivity of nerves in the intestines in people with IBS. The brain and the autonomic nervous system are responsible for regulating the bowel and its functioning which is one of the ways we know that IBS is not a psychological or psychiatric disorder.
While there is no cure for IBS, there are a number of effective ways of controlling or even eliminating the symptoms of the condition such as diet, stress management, herbal and organic supplements, hypnosis and drug therapy including laxatives, anti-diarrheals, anti-spasmodic drugs and anti-depressants. With proper diagnosis and treatment it is possible to lead a normal, productive life even with IBS.
By: Sarah Munn
About the Author:
For more information on irritable bowel syndrome visit Conquer IBS — a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources on alleviating IBS symptoms through proper dieting.
