Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Definition

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic symptoms of abdominal pain, alternating constipation and diarrhea, excess flatus, a sense of incomplete evacuation, and abdominal distention. It is a common, stress-related disorder. But 20% of patients never seek medical attention. It is a chronic condition that has no anatomical abnormality. It occurs in women twice as commonly as men.

Causes of Irritable bowel syndrome

The pain of IBS may be caused by abnormally strong contractions of the intestinal smooth muscle as it reacts to distention, irritants, or stress.

Irritable bowel syndrome may be occur due to various causes such as:

• Ingestion of irritants such as coffee, raw fruit, or vegetables
• Lactose intolerance
• Abuse of laxatives
• Hormonal changes

Symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome has various symptoms such as:

• Cramping of the lower abdomen secondary to muscle contraction; usually occurring during the day and relieved by defecation or passage of flatus
• Fever and chills
• Pain that intensifies 1 to 2 hours after a meal from irritation of nerve fibers by causative stimulus
• Constipation alternating with diarrhea, with one dominant; secondary to motor disturbances from causative stimulus
• Mucus passed through the rectum from altered secretion in intestinal lumen due to motor abnormalities
• Abdominal distention and bloating caused by flatus and constipation.

Treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome

• Treatment of IBS may include stress relief measures, including counseling or mild anti-anxiety agents.
• You can also use antispasmodics or diphenoxylate with atropine for pain.
• For the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome, you should avoid using laxatives. They may weaken your intestines and cause you to be dependent on them.
• You should be avoid large meals, because smaller, more frequent meals may reduce symptoms.
• For the treatment of this disease, you should avoid food irritants and gas-producing foods.
• You should also take regular exercise.
• Another treatment for this disease include the application of heat to the abdomen and you should be used heat application for the any type of pain.
• You should also avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sorbitol
• For the treatment of this disease, you should eat a healthy diet, with plenty of fibre, fruit and vegetables.
• You should use bulking agents to reduce episodes of diarrhea and it also minimize effect of nonpropulsive colonic contractions.