Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a troublesome digestive disorder which results in a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, bloating and pain. It is often accompanied by irregular bowel movements which can be either diarrhoea or constipation, or both alternating.
It’s quite difficult to understand exactly what causes IBS, and it can often be due to a complex mix of psychological and physical factors. And sometimes it’s hard to tell if you actually have IBS or some other digestive complaint. So it’s not surprising if you’re feeling confused. If you think you have IBS it is very important that it is diagnosed by your doctor. He or she will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatments suitable to your case. This section will help you understand what IBS is, what causes it and what the main symptoms are. It will also help you understand different treatment options and measures you can take to help you manage the condition.
Although it’s unpleasant and it probably gets you down, IBS is not a serious condition. And don’t feel you’re alone, because a great many people suffer from it. One third of all adults in the UK have IBS symptoms at some point in their lives, and up to 20% of the population suffers from it for prolonged periods.
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IBS is a complex condition and it’s quite often hard to diagnose what the problem might be. However there are some clear symptoms which will hopefully help you to recognise whether you have IBS or not:
- crampy, abdominal pain
- fullness and bloating
- flatulence
- persistent diarrhoea or constipation - or even a mixture of the two
- a feeling you haven’t completely emptied your bowels
IBS symptoms do vary from person to person and you won’t necessarily experience all of these.
Your digestive system is a highly-tuned piece of precision machinery, but anything from emotional stresses and strains to the food you eat will affect the way it works. When you have IBS, it’s a sign that your bowel is reacting to external factors and becoming over-sensitive. It’s not surprising that something as complex as our digestive systems can sometimes get a bit out of kilter.
The important thing to remember is not to let IBS get you down. If you suffer from it, you should go and see your doctor.
What causes IBS is not fully understood but what we do know is that sufferers have a more sensitive bowel than usual and this leads to the symptoms associated with IBS. But what causes your bowel to become more sensitive?
Stress and anxiety
There’s a general opinion that IBS is largely caused by stress and anxiety. So, a particularly emotional stressful period, such as divorce, bereavement or a problems at work, can affect your digestive system.
Trigger illness
But it’s not all stress related - your IBS may have been caused by an illness you’ve suffered. For example, if you contracted a severe gastrointestinal infection (such as dysentery) and you now experience persistent problems with your bowel, it could well be that your infection triggered IBS.
Diet
IBS can also be triggered by a diet that’s low in fibre and high in fat and refined foods. The way you eat is a factor, too: grabbing a bit 'on the run’ and not having regular meal times will affect the way your bowel works.
A few tips that you may find useful
- Knowing what triggers an attack can help control your symptoms.
So try and keep a log of what you eat and what happened during the
day so you can more easily identify what might set off your symptoms.
- A well-balanced high-fibre diet and regular mealtimes will help your
digestive system work better. Try and avoid fatty and spicy foods
- or foods you have identified as 'triggers’.
- Eat little and often, as large meals a couple of times a day will be
harder for your system to digest
- Try and change your lifestyle so you reduce the number of stressful
situations you face. This doesn’t have to be as drastic as changing
your career. You could take simple stress-reducing steps like making
sure you have frequent breaks, not working excessively long hours
and taking time out for yourself each week.
- Exercise more, as this will both aid digestion and reduce stress.
- You may wish to try therapies such as yoga, Alexander Technique
or meditation. These help to reduce stress and promote a sense
of well-being.
- Advice on stress management can also be helpful to reduce symptoms.
- In severe cases, you might find either hypnotherapy or psychotherapy useful.
Children do not generally suffer from IBS. If your child regularly suffers abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, you should seek your doctor’s advice.
If you think you have IBS, you should seek the advice of your doctor before you do anything. If your symptoms change or get worse, it’s important that you go back to your doctor.
If you have IBS, your first port of call is to visit your doctor to get a diagnosis. The treatments for IBS vary and your doctor is best placed to recommend the right course of action. Sometimes it’s a case of trying a number of treatments to see which one works best.
However, there are a number of over the counter products you can buy, following your doctor’s diagnosis. They fall into three main areas:
Antispasmodic
These are products which help the cramping and abdominal pain. The ingredients are mebeverine, hyoscine, alverine and peppermint oil. Your pharmacist will be able to advise on the most suitable brand for you.
Laxatives
The only laxative that is recommended for IBS over the counter is a fibre laxative such as those containing ispaghula husk. This helps to soften the stools.
Anti-diarrhoeal
Products containing loperamide will help if you suffer from diarrhoea.
Fibre laxatives and peppermint oil are two natural remedies which are available over the counter. There are some herbal remedies which are thought to help the bowel but the scientific evidence for their effectiveness is unclear. If you want to try a herbal alternative, consult a homeopath or a natural remedy retailer for further advice.
That’s the very problem with IBS - it’s difficult to diagnose. If you are worried, you should go to your doctor. And don’t be afraid of seeking a second opinion if you don’t feel you have the answers you were looking for.
Food allergies like an intolerance to lactose and glucose can have very similar symptoms to IBS, such as abdominal pain and bloating. You should visit your doctor who may give you an allergy test. This will help you to ascertain whether it is IBS or not, because if the tests are negative, you can rule out the allergy problem.
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