What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Meaning, Diagnosis, Risk Factors, Treatment & Prevention

By the name, we can understand that irritable bowel syndrome is a disease related to our GI tract. In this usually, our intestine is affected along with the stomach and other organs of our GI tract. IBS needs long-term treatment due to its chronicity.

Only a handful of people present with severe clinical manifestations, which can be managed through counselling and medication.

In this article, we have explored various aspects concerning Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome refers to a group of symptoms affecting our gastrointestinal tract. These symptoms may include repeated abdominal pain accompanied by several changes in the bowel movement.

What are the Types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome has been categorised into 3 different types based on the bowel movements problems, which greatly impact the course of your treatment.

IBS with Diarrhea or IBS-D: IBS-D manifests as loose and watery stool.
IBS with mixed bowel habits or IBS-M: In this type, the patient has a hard and watery stool on the same day.
IBS with constipation or IBS-C: The stool texture becomes hard and lumpy.

What are the Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

The exact cause behind irritable bowel syndrome remains idiopathic to date. However, some of the probable causes are discussed below:

Infection in the GI Tract: One of the major causes of IBS is any kind of bacterial or viral infection, which is usually followed by a bout of diarrhoea. It might also be a result of bacterial overgrowth in our intestinal region.
Stressful Life Since Childhood: People who have had a stressful life since childhood are likely to develop IBS.
Alteration in the Gut Flora: Our gut is a microbes reservoir that helps digestion. So, if there are any changes in the gut flora, it will definitely impact the digestion process and hence may result in IBS.
Unusual Muscle Contractions in the Intestine: Stronger contractions result in diarrhoea, bloating, and gas production, while weaker contractions are responsible for hard stools.
Nervous System of Our Body: Any kind of change in the nervous system could lead to distorted signals between the brain and the digestive system, resulting in pain, constipation, or diarrhoea.

Also, IBS is triggered by some factors, like:

Huge Stress: Increased amount of stress contributes to frequent episodes of IBS. However, stress is a triggering factor, not an aetiology.
Diet: Food allergy contributes to IBS. Symptoms may worsen with consuming food items such as beans, cabbage, and mils.

What are the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Generally, IBS symptoms vary from person to person but are long-lasting. Some of the common symptoms include:

Cramps in the lower abdomen.
Diarrhea and constipation occur simultaneously.
Mucus-laden feces.
Excessive Gas and bloating.
Abnormal bowel movements.

What are the Risk Factors of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Nowadays, people are seen to suffer from IBS occasionally, but if you tick off the criteria discussed below, you have a high chance of developing IBS:

Heredity: Genes are very important in passing hereditary information from one generation to the other. If someone from our previous generation has suffered from IBS, it also pushes the present generation in the same direction.
Mental Health Problems: Any person who has suffered any kind of abuse might be prone to developing irritable bowel syndrome.
Young Age: IBS is generally diagnosed in patients who are below the age of 50.
Females: Menopause causes a lot of hormonal imbalance within the body of a female, and hence, hormonal therapies such as estrogen therapy can push us towards irritable bowel syndrome.

What Is the Recommended Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Different therapies work for different patients. Your healthcare professional will help you find a treatment regime best suited for you.

Now, for this, we have divided the management into three sections:

1. Dietary Changes

Fill your diet with fiber-laden foods such as fruits and vegetables.
You can add supplemental fibre to your diet as well.
Drink lots of water, about 3-4 litres per day.
Avoid foods that contain caffeine.
If you have problems digesting lactose-containing foods, reduce your dairy product consumption.

2 Lifestyle Changes

Avoid smoking.
Stay active and try to exercise regularly.
Keep track of foods that cause flare-ups and avoid them. Generally, the flare-ups are caused by foods such as red wine, red pepper, and green onions.
Eat less, but eat frequently.
Try meditation and other relaxation techniques.

3. Medical Changes

Some doctors may prescribe probiotics that help with the symptoms.
Some NSAIDs may help relieve abdominal pain and cramps.
If you are diagnosed with depression and anxiety, your doctor might also prescribe some anti-depressants.
If your symptoms do not improve with the medications, immediately consult your doctor again.

When to See a Doctor If You Suspect Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Usually, IBS is not a serious disease. However, it might also indicate some underlying serious problems that need to be diagnosed as soon as possible. See your doctor if you notice the following:

Unusual vomiting.
Abdominal pain that doesn't reduce with medication or passing gas.
Anaemia due to iron deficiency
Bleeding from anus
Unusual weight loss
Nocturnal diarrhea

How to Prevent Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

As the cause of irritable bowel syndrome remains idiopathic, there is no way by which we can prevent IBS. However, if you are suffering from IBS, you can avoid foods that trigger the flare-ups of IBS.

Although IBS is not life-threatening and can be managed by following some life changes, it can persist throughout life. You must deal with the situation patiently and avoid foods that trigger your IBS. You might also consult a nutritionist to choose the perfect diet for you.

FAQs about What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Can I test IBS at home?

Unfortunately, IBS cannot be diagnosed at home, and you need specialised instruments to perform the diagnostic tests.

What foods to avoid with IBS?

Some foods that you should avoid if you have IBS:

Caffeine
Dairy Products
Carbonated Beverage

Can I cure IBS?

IBS cannot be cured and persists throughout the life of a person.