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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder of the colon, or large intestine. It is the most common gastrointestinal disorder. It affects women twice as often as men and usually begins in early adult life. Although the disorder can cause much distress, it is not serious and does not lead to serious disease.
Irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease but a functional disorder, which means there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined by x-ray or other tests. The cause of IBS is not fully understood. Most symptoms of IBS are probably related to abnormal muscle movement or spasm of the lower part of the colon. Sometimes the spasm delays the bowel movement. At other times it may lead to more rapid passage of the bowel movement, resulting in diarrhea.
Attacks may be triggered by a specific food or by stress or depression because muscle movement in the colon is partly controlled by the nervous system.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms include:
• cramping and pain in the lower stomach (may be severe)
• bloating
• a feeling of fullness in the rectum
• constipation, with bowel movement in small balls or ribbons
• daytime diarrhea (less frequent symptom)
• constipation alternating with diarrhea
• a lot of gas.
Symptoms commonly occur after you've eaten a meal or when you are under stress. Your symptoms may be temporarily relieved by having a bowel movement.
Diagnosis
After getting your complete medical history, your doctor may want to give you a physical exam including an exam of the rectum.
Your doctor may want you to have the following:
• exam of samples of bowel movement for traces of blood or infectious agents
• x-rays
• endoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
• barium enema
• trial of a milk-free diet.
If the doctor can rule out serious disease and if there is no positive finding after appropriate tests, then IBS is the reasonable diagnosis.
Treatment
Although there is no known cure, your doctor will help you control your diet and emotional stress, which usually relieves the symptoms of IBS. Your doctor may also give you some medicines.
Diet
Your doctor will tailor your diet to meet your specific needs. Your doctor may or may not recommend that you follow a high-fiber diet, which may help keep the colon from going into spasm. He or she may also suggest that you eat smaller meals more often, or eat smaller portions of foods at a meal. Your doctor may also suggest that you eat less fat, which is hard to digest. In addition, you should avoid any foods that cause you distress. Common foods that may cause trouble include fatty foods, such as bacon and cheese, and gas-producing foods, such as onions and cabbage. Wheat and dairy products may also be triggers.
Medicines
Your doctor may prescribe a combination of bulk-forming agents, such as bran or methylcellulose, antispasmodic drugs, and tranquilizers or antidepressants.
Please note: We do not answer questions regarding individual medical problems on this website. We advise you to contact your physician for your specific health related concerns.
©2007 Syracuse Gastroenterological Associates, P.C.
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