Uncomfortable symptoms or signals that our body gives us is a sign of a severe health problem. For example, do you live with daily stomach pains or cramps? Or, do you suffer from recurrent diarrhea? Do you alternate with constipation and diarrhea? You may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis, a type of irritable bowel disease (IBD).
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common bowel disorder that causes abdominal pain. In the past, several terms have been used to describe IBS: irritable bowel, chronic colitis, chronic functional colopathy, spastic colitis, or functional bowel disorder. The symptoms of IBS can cause a patient severe discomfort which can further result in the difficulty of managing basic tasks. Colitis, which is often confused for IBS, causes painful inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, and may lead to symptoms that mimic IBS including abdominal pain and cramps, bloating, dehydration, and diarrhea (which may contain traces of blood).
Signs and symptoms of IBS
The causes for this condition are as yet to obscure and are the subject of research. However, two central theories have been proposed: either a sufferer encounters the difficult constrictions of the digestive tract, or they are more susceptible than normal to developments of the colon and rectum. A few researchers have assumed that a change in the levels of serotonin in the digestive tract could be the cause of the disorder.
Probiotics are microscopic organisms that live typically in the digestive organs and are found in certain foods; they are considered to be “great” microbes. A few studies have concluded that IBS could be caused by an irregularity of these good microscopic organisms in the digestive tract. Probiotics can help ease the side effects experienced by individuals with IBS. However, further research on the use of probiotics for treating people with IBS is needed.
Since women are more affected than men and their discomfort worsens during menstruation, it is believed that hormonal changes also play a crucial role.
Some situations can trigger pain and discomfort in people with IBS. Other common symptoms of the disorder are-
- Emotional stress
- Flatulence (excess gas)
- An unnecessary increase of bacteria in the small intestine.
- Use of certain medications and foods (example, alcohol, chocolate, coffee, dairy products, fructose, carbohydrates).
- Abdominal pain and cramps, which may be intermittent or take the form of a continuous dull pain.
- The urgent need to have a bowel movement
- A feeling of bloating
- Changes in bowel habits
- The presence of mucus and blood in the stool.
However, the presence of mucus in the stool is never a symptom of IBS. People who have blood in the stool, constant pain or fever should see a doctor. Medical advice is needed for blood in the stool, fever, significant weight loss or uncontrollable diarrhea, especially if it occurs at night.
Diagnosis
The doctor will inquire about your medical history and perform a physical examination, noting the warning signs such as fever, bleeding or significant weight loss, which could be caused by something more serious.
To examine the interior of the colon, an endoscopy of the lower part of the colon with a tube fitted with a camera will be performed, particularly in older patients. Even an x-ray of the intestine or an abdominal ultrasound can be performed by the doctors.
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