IBS is a common disease that affects the large intestine of the human body. It is a chronic disorder that the patients need to balance for the long term. It is not completely curable but patients can control the symptoms of the disorder by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and proper irritable bowel syndrome treatment.
Main Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
- The most common signs are abdominal pain, bloating, and cramps. These are mainly related to passing the bowel movement.
- Patients may face changes in the appearance of the bowel movement.
- Even the time span of the bowel movement changes often.
- Severe weight loss is a major symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Sometimes the patient may face diarrhea at night.
- Iron deficiency anemia is caused by irritable bowel syndrome.
- Rectal bleeding is yet another major issue that the patients face.
- Often vomiting without any reason can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Obstinate stomach ache happens often.
- Pain in several body parts that can-not ease by passing gas or bowel movement happens a lot.
- Constipation alternating with diarrhea is another symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
- A lot of gas or bloating.
- Pellets, also known as flat ribbon stools, is a sign of IBS.
- Mucus present in the stool.
- Severe food intolerance, tiredness, regular headache.
- Heartburn and indigestion.
- Disturbed mental health, and having anxiety and depression.
Sometimes IBS patients face these symptoms regularly, whereas some have them weekly for a long period of time. Women patients may face severe illness and symptoms during their menstruation.
What is the cause behind irritable bowel syndrome?
Although the symptoms are known widely, the main issues that cause the disease are still in dark. Though some problems are noted as the main reasons for irritable bowel syndrome.
They are as follows:
- Stress from a very early age may result in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Muscle contractions in the intestine may cause IBS. As the intestine let the food pass, sometimes longer contractions cause diarrhea, bloating, and gas, ultimately causing irritable bowel syndrome.
- The unusual nervous system may disturb the digestive process causing unnatural stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea which are the first stages of IBS.
- Accruing to some reports, IBS can also be caused by some virus or bacteria that cause diarrhea.
Who is more prone to have irritable bowel syndrome?
- Irritable bowel syndrome is faced by people who are aged less than 50.
- People who have a family history of irritable bowel syndrome can face the disorder as it is in their genes.
- Reportedly, in the US, female irritable bowel syndrome patients are greater in number. Estrogen therapy is also a risk factor that may trigger IBS. It does not matter if the therapy is taken before or after menopause.
- Disturbed mental health can also trigger the disease. Stress, anxiety, depression may cause irritable bowel syndrome. Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse in the past can also lead to IBS.
Final Words
There are medications that can ease irritable bowel syndrome to some extent. Though it is a chronic disorder, appropriate treatment and a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet can make the life of IBS patients easier. By following the doctor’s instructions carefully, one can easily handle the disorder and live hassle-free.