Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Manage your irritable bowel syndrome
By Jarrett Kruse
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder of unknown cause. Common symptoms include abdominal cramping or pain, bloating and gassiness, and altered bowel habits. Irritable bowel syndrome has been called spastic colon, functional bowel disease, and mucous colitis. However, IBS is not considered to be a true ‘colitis.’ Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are not contagious, inherited, or cancerous. Sufferers of IBS may be more likely to have to endure other intestine conditions like polyps.
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Some common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include:
- Bloating and gas
- Mucus in the stool
- Constipation
- Diarrhea, especially after eating or first thing in the morning
- Feeling like you still need to have a bowel movement after you’ve already had one
- Feeling a strong urge to have a bowel movement
- Abdominal pain and cramping that may go away after having a bowel movement
There is no specific test to diagnose IBS and doctors usually diagnose the syndrome based on a physical exam and a patient’s symptoms. For example, if a person has had abdominal pain for more than 12 weeks out of the previous year, it’s a sign to a doctor that IBS may be a possibility. IBS is one of the most common colorectal disorders and it can be diagnosed by a series of embarrassing but necessary questions about your bathroom habits. These might include whether your bowel movements are regular, what your stools look like, and whether you need to have a bowel movement but then cannot. There may be a special diet for irritable bowel syndrome that the doctor prescribes for you—one high in fiber, water and raw vegetables. Irritable bowel syndrome treatment varies from dietary changes to lifestyle changes and medications. Some people with IBS find that careful eating helps reduce or eliminate IBS symptoms. Eating regular meals and avoiding on-the-run eating and paying attention to good nutrition can all be helpful.
