| | Symptoms | Symptoms usually start during adolescence or early adulthood. Symptoms appear over periods of days to weeks. Abdominal pain and/or cramping occur. The pain can vary from mild to severe. It is usually felt in the lower abdomen, especially on the left side. The pain may be dull or sharp, and continuous or cramping in nature. Pain is relieved by passing wind or by defecation. It does not occur at night. Constipation or diarrhea develops shortly after meals, over a period of several weeks. Symptoms vary from person to person and in one individual both constipation and diarrhea or either one alone can occur. There may be a bloated feeling, abdominal distension, increased intestinal gas (flatulence) and belching. Bowel movements differ in frequency or consistency from a person's normal pattern. During constipation, stools may be hard, small, pellet-like, and difficult to pass. A sense of incomplete evacuation may follow. Defecation may relieve the pain. The diarrhea of IBS is usually small in volume, but occur frequently. The first movement may be normal, but followed by loose bowel movements throughout the rest of the day. Bowel movements may be associated with extreme urgency and can be explosive. Mucus may be passed in the stools. Stress aggravates the symptoms. Heartburn, nausea and vomiting can sometimes occur. Loss of appetite may occur. Some women have co-existent painful menstrual periods, and experience pain during sexual intercourse. Symptoms rarely if ever occur at night and do not normally wake the person from sleep.
| The following may cause or exacerbate some of the symptoms | Stress, anxiety and depression Smoking Alcohol Food sensitivity (up to 2/3 of people with IBS might have a food intolerance, allergy or sensitivity), especially as people age Overeating, binge eating, eating irregularly or too quickly Too much fat in the diet Lactose intolerance Sugar substitutes such as sorbitol and aspartame Certain antibiotics that alter the population of bacteria in the intestines Morphine and codeine Aluminium salts of antacids Tricyclic antidepressants Some antihistamines, mineral supplements bonded to mineral salts, diuretics, antipsychotic drugs and sedatives Sensitivity to intestinal sensations Hormonal changes, for example during the menstrual cycle
| When to see a doctor | Your symptoms get worse, begin to disrupt your activities, or do not respond to natural treatment. You become increasingly tired. Your symptoms wake you frequently. You've been losing weight. Your appetite is poor. You experience abdominal pain that is not associated with changes in bowel function or that is not relieved when you pass wind or a stool. You have a fever. Mucus suddenly appears in your stools. Blood suddenly appears in your stools.
As IBS does not have a specific underlying cause, treatment is intended to relieve the symptoms. Conventional drug treatment of IBS is aimed at controlling the symptoms through improving gut motility and reducing gut sensitivity, thereby alleviating abdominal pain, bloating and constipation. Other conventional Irritable bowel syndrome treatments include the prescription of dietary guidelines, lifestyle modification, laxatives, antispasmodics, antidepressants and tranquillisers. | | More Links on IBS: | |
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