Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that impacts the digestive system. Typical symptoms — which tend to come and go over time — include stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation.
IBS is generally a lifelong problem; living with it can be very annoying and it can have a major impact on one’s daily life. The disease has no cure, but changes in diet and medications can often help control the symptoms.
The symptoms differ in severity and time from individual to individual — but they last at least three months for at least three days per month.
Although the disease can cause intestinal damage in some cases, that is not common. IBS doesn’t raise your risk of gastrointestinal cancers, but it can still have a considerable impact on your life.
Symptoms
The symptoms of IBS typically include:
- cramping
- stomach cramps
- bloating and flatulence
- constipation
- diarrhea
People with IBS tend to have episodes of both constipation and diarrhea. Once you have a bowel movement, symptoms such as bloating and gas typically go away.
Symptoms of the disorder don’t always persist; they can come and go. Some people, however, do have unremitting symptoms.
Diagnosis
Your symptoms can help your doctor diagnose irritable bowel syndrome. You can have a stool sample examined, or have blood tests done, to check for anemia and rule out celiac disease. You can also perform a colonoscopy — typically done if your doctor suspects that your symptoms are being triggered by colitis, inflammatory bowel disease — to confirm if you have IBS.
Treating IBS
No cure exists for IBS, but treatment is aimed at symptom relief. Firstly, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes before you begin to use medication.
Home remedies for IBS
Your symptoms may be relived through certain home remedies or lifestyle changes without the use of medication. Examples of these lifestyle changes include:
participating in regular physical workout
eating smaller meals
reducing stress
taking probiotics to help relieve flatulence and swelling
avoiding deep-fried or spicy foods
Foods to shun with IBS
If you the disorder, it’s very important to manage your diet and eating patterns. Modifying amounts or removing certain foods such as dairy, oily and deep-fried foods, and grams and beans may help contain different symptoms. Some people might add spices and herbs such as ginger and peppermint to help reduce some symptoms.
IBS medication
If home remedies — such as lifestyle or dietary changes — do not help improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend the use of medications. Some of the best medications that help relieve the symptoms of IBS include Masacol, Spasrid, Spasfon, and Pentasa.
What triggers IBS
The key to managing the disease’s symptoms is to steer clear of certain triggers, including certain foods as well as stress and anxiety.
Certain foods, which are common triggers for many people with the condition, may have a bigger impact on you than others. Identifying beforehand situations that may raise your levels of stress and anxiety can help. This can give you time to either plan to shun these situations or formulate plans to contain the stress and anxiety.