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IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Men's Health, Women's Health / By

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by a group of intestinal symptoms that typically occur together.

  • The term ‘functional’ means that the symptoms occur as a result of abnormal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract rather than any structural damage or biochemical abnormalities of tissues in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • IBS is not a life-threatening condition but it can be a long-lasting problem that affects the quality of everyday life.
  • People with IBS may have to miss work and school frequently and may not be able to take part in daily activities.
  • There are different forms of this disorder. They are:
  • IBS-D is irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, this is characterized by a severe or recurrent diarrhea
  • IBS-C is irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with constipation.
  • IBS-M is irritable syndrome mixed, this is characterized by an alternating bout of constipation and diarrhea
  • IBS is most often common in people younger than 45 years and affects more women than men.

CAUSES

The exact cause of IBS is yet to be figured out. Factors that may play a role include:

  • Muscle contraction: A stronger and longer muscle contraction in the intestine can lead to bloating, diarrhea and gas while a weak contraction can slow passage of food and lead to hard, dry stools.
  • Inflammation in the intestine.
  • A viral or bacterial infection in the intestine and stomach may cause IBS symptoms.
  • IBS is also associated with bacterial overgrowth in the intestine.
  • Abnormal function of the nerves in the digestive system
  • Dietary allergies or food sensitivities.
  • Stress and hormonal changes in women doesn’t cause IBS but may aggravate symptoms.

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms of IBS-C are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Infrequent stools
  • Straining during bowel movements
  • Passage of hard, lumpy stools
  • Gas

The most common symptoms of IBS-D are:

  • Frequent stools
  • Nausea
  • Loose stool though not always
  • Sudden urges to use the bathroom
  • Abdominal pain and discomfort
  • Gas
  • The feeling of being unable to completely empty the bowel

Other symptoms may include unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

There exist no lab tests that can diagnose IBS.  Your doctor will likely review your medical history and carry out a physical test to rule out other medical conditions. Some of these tests may include:

  • Stool tests to examine stool for blood, bacteria or parasites if you have chronic diarrhea.
  • Breathe test to detect bacteria overgrowth in your small intestine.
  • Test for lactose intolerance and celiac diseases.
  • Upper endoscopy where a long tube is flexible is inserted down your throat into your esophagus. This allows the doctor to examine your upper digestive tract and obtain a sample of the tissue from your small intestine to look for bacteria overgrowth.
  • Colonoscopy where your doctor examines the entire length of your colon with a small flexible tube. This is done to look for signs of blockage or inflammation in your intestine
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy where the lower part of your colon (sigmoid) is examined with a lighted tube (sigmoidoscope). This is performed to check for blockage or inflammation in your intestine
  • Blood test to check for signs of infection, red blood cell count, and thyroid problems
  • X-ray or CT scan
TREATMENT

Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms so that you can live a normal lifestyle. With your help, your doctor will find the right treatment plan to manage your symptoms.

 Some diet and lifestyle changes may help with symptoms.

  • Avoid smoking
  • Eat high- fiber food
  • Drink plenty of fluids at least three to four glasses of water per day.
  • Learn to relax either by getting enough sleep or by getting more exercise
  • Avoid food that triggers your symptoms.

MEDICATIONS

Medications for diarrhea may include:

  • Antidiarrheal medications such as diphenoxylate, loperamide, and
  • Rifaximin
  • Bile acid binders are cholesterol-lowering
  • Alosetron (Lotronex) has been used for females with IBS who experience severe diarrhea whose symptoms aren’t helped by other treatments.

Medications for constipation may include:

  • SSRI antidepressants may help those with IBS-C but can trigger attacks in a patient with IBS-D.
  • Lubiprostone (Amitiza) can treat IBS-C in women whose symptoms are not helped by other treatments.
  • Linaclotide (Linzess), a constipation medication.
  • Polyethylene glycol can help relieve constipation.

Medications for abdominal pain and bloating

  • Antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Silenor) may help with abdominal pain but are usually reserved for several cases because of side effects.
  • Antispasmodics such as hyoscyamine (Levsin) reduces abdominal pain.