Irritable bowel syndrome is known as a disorder commonly causing constipation, cramps, abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. This condition is known to cause immense discomfort and distress among individuals where intestines are affected. It is mostly seen that the symptoms are relieved with stress management, diet as well as prescription medication.

Occurrence

The statistics have shown how 20% of population is affected by the syndrome and occurs in women more commonly. Starting at the age of 35, irritable bowel syndrome can interfere with potential to work, travel short distances or even visit any social events. It is quite different from the inflammatory bowel disease. The reason for occurrences is not very clear yet.

Risk, cause and incidence

The stress levels could have an impact on the intestine and change bowel functioning. There are more than normal level of squeezing and sensitivity as you suffer from the irritable bowel. There is no specific age related to the syndrome and can even start during teens. Intestinal problem affecting 1 in 6 individuals can be treated gradually.

• The colon could be affected by nervous or immune system leading to fluid deregulation
• Food related reactions could bother the bowels
• Stress levels and sleep levels could also affect the intestine
• Infection due to bacteria in the GI tract has also been associated with irritable bowel syndrome
• There are mild Celtic diseases which lead to symptoms of the irritable bowel

The abdominal cramping, pain, bloating, modified bowel habits, gassiness and similar abdomen related problems. The symptoms are different in each individual and there is more discomfort and pain associated with the condition on individual basis. As time passes and the disorder remains untreated it worsens with time.

Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms can be as described below:

• Abdominal cramping followed by pain which eases only by bowel movements for 12 weeks or more consecutively
• Change in stool and its consistency
• Urgency to relieve yourself with bowel movement
• Bloating
• Gassiness
• Abdomen distension
• Mucus in stools
• Inability to defecate

You must understand that weight loss, fever, bleeding and severe pain persistent for long duration could also be associated with severe condition like cancer and inflammation. If you experience four or more of the above mentioned symptoms, you should seek help from your doctor immediately. You must not mix constipation with irritable bowel.

People with this condition certainly should be careful about stress, medicines, gas, heavy meals, foods and large amount of alcohol or caffeine. The symptoms can be relieved by use of medicines and minor tweaks in the diet.

Diagnosis

It is possible to get diagnosed for this condition before the symptoms worsen. The physical exam will give away any signs of the syndrome, otherwise you may be asked to take a CT scan or X-ray test and even GI endoscopy of lower abdomen. The procedure of endoscopy will reveal any possibilities of irritable bowel syndrome.  The blood tests are not actually helpful in determining the condition.

Once you are aware about the possibilities and risk that this syndrome has bought you must begin treatment at the earliest possible. It is not necessary to take extreme medication for treatment; you can also get the home remedies to relieve the symptoms.

The irritable bowel can be put at ease if you are on a diet involving food items like the following:

• More dietary fiber
• Vegetables like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, legumes, beans should be avoided for their potential of gassiness
• Smaller and frequent meals could lower diarrhea and cramping
• Water should be added to diet instead of soda consumption to avoid abdominal discomfort
• Meals high in carbohydrate and low fat should be part of diet

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

There is no permanent treatment for such condition, you can always go to doctor for assistance. Mostly they suggest change in the diet and stress management to relieve symptoms. The fiber supplements as well as few laxatives along with medicines for easing diarrhea can be used for the irritable bowels.

Antispasmodic is associated with colon spasms and it even lowers abdominal pain. Antispasmodic medication should not be coupled with antidepressants. Great caution is advised with use of specific medication as some have side effects and could leave you constipated. The effects of these medications certainly work differently for each individual, so you need apt combination of diet, medicine, counseling to succeed at symptom control. Follow a healthy way of living and quit your habits of drinking and smoking frequently and life will be much easier.

It is possible to bring minor changes in lifestyle to handle the irritable bowel syndrome better. The stress levels make the whole digestive process disturbed. You should try some stress relief methods like meditation for relaxing. There are counseling sessions for stress management. You could also add yoga and walking to lifestyle and find positive change in the bowel syndrome. Adequate sleep and proper dietary balance certainly helps in easing the pain associated with irritable bowel.

5 Tips on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive problem also known as “spastic colon” or “irritable colon.”
2. IBS symptoms include:
   • Abdominal pain (colicky, periodic or continuous dull pain)
   • Erratic bowel activity; frequent constipation or diarrhea
   • Accompanying symptoms of bloating, nausea, headache, fatigue
   • Sensitivity to intestinal gas (cramping, flatulence)
3. The cause of IBS is unknown:
   • No evidence of specific disease
   • May be triggered by psychological factors or ingestion of food
4. IBS is a condition that:
   • Is more common in women
   • Usually starts at an early age (20s and 30s) and recurs from time to time
   • Rarely starts past age 55
5. Treatment of IBS includes:
   • Careful explanation of the syndrome.
   • Better management of key triggers: stress and diet
   • Modification of diet to reduce or exclude foods that promote gas
   • Drug therapy to relieve symptoms (bulk fiber products, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals)
   • Occasionally, psychiatric therapy and medication