Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. It is a disrupting condition in which sufferers usually experience gastrointestinal discomfort and bowel habit variability. Although, info on irritable bowel syndrome shows that the symptoms are extensive and reminiscent to other gastrointestinal disorders, it can be diagnosed by eliminating other conditions that have similar signs, and investigating the patient’s history and physical symptoms.

Aside from the main symptoms of abdominal pain and bowel habit changes, there are also other symptoms, which present themselves with irritable bowel syndrome.

Some of these symptoms include abdominal bloating or gassiness, presence of mucus in the stool and a feeling of not having been completely emptied after a bowel movement.

Bowel habit alterations are either predominately diarrhea or constipation depending on the variety of muscle contractions in the intestines. Although, some people can alternate between diarrhea and constipation.

The disorder is long-term in nature but is manageable and can be treatable, and the condition causes no physical changes or damage to the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Even in children, if they have IBS, there has been seen to be no effect on their development or growth.

The exact cause or trigger for IBS is still unknown. One explanation is that it may be caused by faulty communication between the brain and the intestinal tract, which causes muscle contractions thereby altering the digestive process presenting the symptoms of abdominal cramping and inconsistent bowel movement.

Neurotransmitters can be seen as chemicals in the brain that act as information carriers to the rest of the body. It is thought that with some IBS sufferers certain elements and hormones throughout the body may have been altered or inappropriately produced due to stress, sudden hormonal changes or immunological response.

These interactions between the neurotransmitters and the intestines may adversely affect the signals in the digestive system and so cause muscle spasms and contractions in the intestines. As spasms and contractions intensify, it can lead to the common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Some theories suggest that irritable bowel syndrome stems from the presence of a previous disease, virus or condition.

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IBS itself can not be the cause of other graver illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis or ovarian cancer.

Studies have shown that those with IBS seem to have hypersensitive intestines which react more powerfully and frequently to stimuli. Pain or cramping is usually the most common symptom as nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract are often irritated.

There are speculations whether food allergies trigger irritable bowel syndrome. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to try a hypoallergenic diet and keep a food diary to gather as much info on irritable bowel syndrome, and the foods that may trigger your condition as possible.

By: Susan Reynolds

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Kansieo.com

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not only common among humans but also among animals particularly cats. Basically, the IBS that is experienced by people is the same type that cats also feel.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome among cats is the same gastrointestinal disorder that is also felt by human. The large and/or small intestines are also affected. IBS in cats usually affects the contractions of the digestive tract resulting to irregular bowel movement. Aside from that, IBS also interferes with the normal distribution of food and waste material inside the cat’s body resulting to the accumulation of toxins and mucus in the cat’s intestines.

These accumulated toxins often obstruct the normal function of the digestive tract. In the process gas and stool are trapped causing bloating, constipation and distention. It is also surprising to note that the same IBS factors in human have been identified to cause the same effects among cats. Factors causing IBS such as stress, overuse of antibiotics, poor eating habits, bacterial, and viral infection, parasites and food allergies were found to affect cats as well.

Likewise, a blockage is also very common among cats since they love to chew as well as swallow objects. This too can trigger IBS symptoms.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Cats

It would be surprising to note that cats and humans exhibit the same Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. And here are some of them:

- Constipation among cats is just like in humans. It is also exhibited by hard, small, pebble-like stools, which make bowel movement very difficult.

- Diarrhea is a more frequent bowel movement wherein the stool is often soft and watery. Cats with IBS usually experience successive loose bowel movement alternating with constipation.

- Abdominal pain is also common among cats with IBS. The pain can range from mild to severe.

- The presence of mucus in the stool is also a common sign of IBS.

- Another symptom of IBS that may be observed in cats is vomiting and nausea.

- Gas pain or flatulence is also an indication of IBS in cats

- Bloating

- Intolerance to certain types of foods

- Anorexia which most of you may think is only common to us human but surprisingly is also exhibited by our feline friends.

Treating Your Cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Since Irritable Bowel Syndrome involves many factors, it is very important that you have your cats examined by a veterinarian. This way you will know what’s triggering IBS symptoms in your pet cats. In case you prefer to apply natural methods in controlling your pet’s IBS symptoms still it is better to consult first a veterinarian before applying any type of IBS treatment to your cat to avoid further complications.

A change in your cat’s diet is also a good way to control Irritable Bowel syndrome. However make sure that you consult a veterinarian or a nutritionist to provide your cat with a personalized diet and program.

Feeding your cat with the right type of food is still the best way to control your cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Cats like humans prefer different types of foods. There are some cats that like eating raw food while there are some that prefers home cooking or canned food.

It is very important that you try to experiment with foods that work for your cat. If you can keep a food journal in which you can jot down foods that your cat needs to avoid then so much the better. This will guide you on the proper food to give your cat and in turn keeps IBS symptoms in control.

By: Low Jeremy

About the Author:

irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not only common among humans but also among animals particularly cats. Basically, the IBS that is experienced by people is the same type that cats also feel.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome among cats is the same gastrointestinal disorder that is also felt by human. The large and/or small intestines are also affected. IBS in cats usually affects the contractions of the digestive tract resulting to irregular bowel movement. Aside from that, IBS also interferes with the normal distribution of food and waste material inside the cat’s body resulting to the accumulation of toxins and mucus in the cat’s intestines.

These accumulated toxins often obstruct the normal function of the digestive tract. In the process gas and stool are trapped causing bloating, constipation and distention. It is also surprising to note that the same IBS factors in human have been identified to cause the same effects among cats. Factors causing IBS such as stress, overuse of antibiotics, poor eating habits, bacterial, and viral infection, parasites and food allergies were found to affect cats as well.

Likewise, a blockage is also very common among cats since they love to chew as well as swallow objects. This too can trigger IBS symptoms.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Cats

It would be surprising to note that cats and humans exhibit the same Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. And here are some of them:

- Constipation among cats is just like in humans. It is also exhibited by hard, small, pebble-like stools, which make bowel movement very difficult.

- Diarrhea is a more frequent bowel movement wherein the stool is often soft and watery. Cats with IBS usually experience successive loose bowel movement alternating with constipation.

- Abdominal pain is also common among cats with IBS. The pain can range from mild to severe.

- The presence of mucus in the stool is also a common sign of IBS.

- Another symptom of IBS that may be observed in cats is vomiting and nausea.

- Gas pain or flatulence is also an indication of IBS in cats

- Bloating

- Intolerance to certain types of foods

- Anorexia which most of you may think is only common to us human but surprisingly is also exhibited by our feline friends.

Treating Your Cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Since Irritable Bowel Syndrome involves many factors, it is very important that you have your cats examined by a veterinarian. This way you will know what’s triggering IBS symptoms in your pet cats. In case you prefer to apply natural methods in controlling your pet’s IBS symptoms still it is better to consult first a veterinarian before applying any type of IBS treatment to your cat to avoid further complications.

A change in your cat’s diet is also a good way to control Irritable Bowel syndrome. However make sure that you consult a veterinarian or a nutritionist to provide your cat with a personalized diet and program.

Feeding your cat with the right type of food is still the best way to control your cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Cats like humans prefer different types of foods. There are some cats that like eating raw food while there are some that prefers home cooking or canned food.

It is very important that you try to experiment with foods that work for your cat. If you can keep a food journal in which you can jot down foods that your cat needs to avoid then so much the better. This will guide you on the proper food to give your cat and in turn keeps IBS symptoms in control.

By: Low Jeremy

About the Author:

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