Irritable bowel syndrome
By Rifaat Al-Nasser, Jordan News
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Around the world,
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common diagnoses in medicine.
Although IBS does not contribute to mortality, it can negatively affect the
quality of life for those affected.اضافة اعلان
IBS is thought to affect 10–15 percent of the world’s population, but exact estimates are difficult to obtain. There are no precise reports on the prevalence of IBS in Jordan.
Despite IBS not being curable, many steps can be taken to manage the symptoms, but understanding the condition is important.
What is IBS?
IBS is a syndrome which means that it is not a disease in and of itself. Instead, it is a cluster of symptoms that commonly present as the condition.
IBS affects the gastrointestinal system (digestive system) and produces related symptoms. IBS also goes by many names such as spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. Although IBS does not increase the risk of mortality, cancers, or other serious complications commonly found in many diseases, it can negatively impact the quality of life in those who have it.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Many symptoms are associated with IBS and can vary in intensity or severity based on the individual and gender. The main symptoms of IBS are stomach pains or cramps that are typically worse after eating and improve after defecation.
Other main symptoms of IBS include bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Additionally, IBS can cause excessive flatulence, mucous in the stool, lethargy, nausea, back pain, and complications with urination.
In rare instances, IBS can even cause intestinal damage.
These symptoms may or may not be persistent. To some, nearly all symptoms are relieved after defecation and worsen after eating. However, others have persistent symptoms regardless of voiding or eating.
Generally, IBS is more common in women than in men. In women, symptoms of IBS tend to be more severe and increase around the time of or during menstruation. Similarly, women still of reproductive age may experience more or worse symptoms than menopausal women. Pregnancy can also play a role in IBS, and some pregnant women have reported worsening of certain symptoms.
The symptoms are the same in men, but some studies conducted in western nations have found that men are less likely to report symptoms or seek treatment. Some suggest that hormonal differences may play a role in terms of severity, while others suggest that men simply avoid seeking help.
How is IBS diagnosed?
IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms and in different ways. One of the most common forms of IBS diagnosis comes from the Rome IV criteria.
The Rome IV criteria defines IBS as recurrent abdominal pain that, on average, occurs one day per week over the duration of three months. Additionally, the pain must be associated with two or more of the following: related to defecation, associated with a change in stool frequency, or associated with a change in appearance or form of stool.
In conjunction with the Rome IV criteria, IBS may also be diagnosed through exclusion. Many similar gastrointestinal conditions overlap with the symptoms of IBS. This can include but is not limited to ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease), or cancer.
To rule out other causes of the symptoms, a physician may order a series of tests. These tests can include changing diet to rule out food allergies, stool sample examination to rule out infection, blood tests to rule out anemia associated with celiac disease, or a colonoscopy.
What causes IBS?
There are many causes of IBS, and due to a great deal of variation, it is nearly impossible to prevent the condition, but it is possible to manage symptoms.
Physical abnormalities can cause IBS, including the slowed or spastic movement of the colon, which can cause painful abdominal cramping. There is also a biochemical messenger (neurotransmitter) known as serotonin that can precipitate IBS.
Serotonin is commonly known for its role in the brain as a mood stabilizer, but it also plays a role in the gut. More specifically, serotonin helps increase motility (movement) and secretions in the intestines. Therefore, abnormal levels of serotonin may result in IBS.
IBS can also be secondary to other conditions. There is a form of IBS known as postinfectious IBS. In this form of IBS, a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract is the cause and persists past the resolution of the original infection.
Celiac disease can also cause IBS. Celiac disease is an intestinal immune disease in which your body has an inappropriate response to the presence of gluten in the intestines. As a result, the body damages the inner lining of the intestines. Although a separate condition, even mild forms of celiac disease may result in IBS.
Triggers of IBS
Certain triggers can be avoided to help manage the symptoms of IBS. Since IBS is a cluster of symptoms and not a specific disease, the variability in the causes impacts what triggers would exacerbate the condition.
More often than not, certain foods can worsen your condition than others. This holds especially true for those with additional conditions such as celiac disease or lactose intolerance. By changing your diet, you can determine which foods worsen your condition and should be avoided.
One common trigger among nearly all those who suffer from IBS is stress. The gastrointestinal system is closely linked to the nervous system. The nervous system, more specifically the autonomic nervous system, regulates functions such as motility in the gut.
So, when a person is stressed or anxious, nerves become overly responsive and disrupt the digestive system. Although stress may be difficult to avoid, finding time to relax and manage stress can greatly help.
How to manage IBS
There is no cure for IBS, and it is likely a lifelong condition. Nevertheless, there are ways to help manage the symptoms to help improve your quality of life.
Similar to the triggers of IBS, different causes require different medications. Additionally, whether prescribed or over the counter, certain medications work to help manage the symptoms but not treat the condition.
These can include medications for muscle spasms, pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Before using medication, most healthcare professionals recommend starting with lifestyle changes first.
Regular physical exercise and minimizing stress can help manage symptoms. When it comes to your diet, eating more frequent but smaller meals can help manage the pain that normally comes after a meal.
Avoiding foods that are known triggers and minimizing your intake of caffeinated drinks, deep-fried foods, and spicy foods can also help.
Some may even suggest using probiotics to help regulate the normal bacteria that reside in the intestinal tract, which can help manage bloating and flatulence. Some have found that certain spices and herbs help reduce IBS symptoms, including ginger, peppermint, and chamomile.
Read more Health
Jordan News
IBS is thought to affect 10–15 percent of the world’s population, but exact estimates are difficult to obtain. There are no precise reports on the prevalence of IBS in Jordan.
Despite IBS not being curable, many steps can be taken to manage the symptoms, but understanding the condition is important.
What is IBS?
IBS is a syndrome which means that it is not a disease in and of itself. Instead, it is a cluster of symptoms that commonly present as the condition.
IBS affects the gastrointestinal system (digestive system) and produces related symptoms. IBS also goes by many names such as spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. Although IBS does not increase the risk of mortality, cancers, or other serious complications commonly found in many diseases, it can negatively impact the quality of life in those who have it.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Many symptoms are associated with IBS and can vary in intensity or severity based on the individual and gender. The main symptoms of IBS are stomach pains or cramps that are typically worse after eating and improve after defecation.
Other main symptoms of IBS include bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Additionally, IBS can cause excessive flatulence, mucous in the stool, lethargy, nausea, back pain, and complications with urination.
In rare instances, IBS can even cause intestinal damage.
These symptoms may or may not be persistent. To some, nearly all symptoms are relieved after defecation and worsen after eating. However, others have persistent symptoms regardless of voiding or eating.
Generally, IBS is more common in women than in men. In women, symptoms of IBS tend to be more severe and increase around the time of or during menstruation. Similarly, women still of reproductive age may experience more or worse symptoms than menopausal women. Pregnancy can also play a role in IBS, and some pregnant women have reported worsening of certain symptoms.
The symptoms are the same in men, but some studies conducted in western nations have found that men are less likely to report symptoms or seek treatment. Some suggest that hormonal differences may play a role in terms of severity, while others suggest that men simply avoid seeking help.
How is IBS diagnosed?
IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms and in different ways. One of the most common forms of IBS diagnosis comes from the Rome IV criteria.
The Rome IV criteria defines IBS as recurrent abdominal pain that, on average, occurs one day per week over the duration of three months. Additionally, the pain must be associated with two or more of the following: related to defecation, associated with a change in stool frequency, or associated with a change in appearance or form of stool.
In conjunction with the Rome IV criteria, IBS may also be diagnosed through exclusion. Many similar gastrointestinal conditions overlap with the symptoms of IBS. This can include but is not limited to ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease), or cancer.
To rule out other causes of the symptoms, a physician may order a series of tests. These tests can include changing diet to rule out food allergies, stool sample examination to rule out infection, blood tests to rule out anemia associated with celiac disease, or a colonoscopy.
What causes IBS?
There are many causes of IBS, and due to a great deal of variation, it is nearly impossible to prevent the condition, but it is possible to manage symptoms.
Physical abnormalities can cause IBS, including the slowed or spastic movement of the colon, which can cause painful abdominal cramping. There is also a biochemical messenger (neurotransmitter) known as serotonin that can precipitate IBS.
Serotonin is commonly known for its role in the brain as a mood stabilizer, but it also plays a role in the gut. More specifically, serotonin helps increase motility (movement) and secretions in the intestines. Therefore, abnormal levels of serotonin may result in IBS.
IBS can also be secondary to other conditions. There is a form of IBS known as postinfectious IBS. In this form of IBS, a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract is the cause and persists past the resolution of the original infection.
Celiac disease can also cause IBS. Celiac disease is an intestinal immune disease in which your body has an inappropriate response to the presence of gluten in the intestines. As a result, the body damages the inner lining of the intestines. Although a separate condition, even mild forms of celiac disease may result in IBS.
Triggers of IBS
Certain triggers can be avoided to help manage the symptoms of IBS. Since IBS is a cluster of symptoms and not a specific disease, the variability in the causes impacts what triggers would exacerbate the condition.
More often than not, certain foods can worsen your condition than others. This holds especially true for those with additional conditions such as celiac disease or lactose intolerance. By changing your diet, you can determine which foods worsen your condition and should be avoided.
One common trigger among nearly all those who suffer from IBS is stress. The gastrointestinal system is closely linked to the nervous system. The nervous system, more specifically the autonomic nervous system, regulates functions such as motility in the gut.
So, when a person is stressed or anxious, nerves become overly responsive and disrupt the digestive system. Although stress may be difficult to avoid, finding time to relax and manage stress can greatly help.
How to manage IBS
There is no cure for IBS, and it is likely a lifelong condition. Nevertheless, there are ways to help manage the symptoms to help improve your quality of life.
Similar to the triggers of IBS, different causes require different medications. Additionally, whether prescribed or over the counter, certain medications work to help manage the symptoms but not treat the condition.
These can include medications for muscle spasms, pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Before using medication, most healthcare professionals recommend starting with lifestyle changes first.
Regular physical exercise and minimizing stress can help manage symptoms. When it comes to your diet, eating more frequent but smaller meals can help manage the pain that normally comes after a meal.
Avoiding foods that are known triggers and minimizing your intake of caffeinated drinks, deep-fried foods, and spicy foods can also help.
Some may even suggest using probiotics to help regulate the normal bacteria that reside in the intestinal tract, which can help manage bloating and flatulence. Some have found that certain spices and herbs help reduce IBS symptoms, including ginger, peppermint, and chamomile.
Read more Health
Jordan News
