What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that is very common and affects mainly the large intestine

. It is called a syndrome since it comes with a group of symptoms such as cramping, bloating, diarrhea, gas and constipation.

Contrary to common notion Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a disease but more of a functional disorder. This means that the large intestine is not properly functioning. Like for instance when you eat too much, the muscles in your bowel contracts causing cramping and diarrhea. Although painful but it does not damage the bowel or the large intestine unlike any other diseases.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Different people exhibit different types of IBS symptoms. There are symptoms that are felt while others are manifested in the stool. The symptoms that are often felt by IBS patients include crampy pain usually felt in the stomach or the abdomen, feeling like you have not finished moving your bowel, diarrhea or constipation. IBS symptoms that are manifested or seen include mucus, swollen or bloated abdomen.

How to Diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Aside from the symptoms, your doctor may conduct some medical tests just to make sure that you are not suffering from any other type of disease that may have the same symptoms as that of the IBS.

Your doctor may do various medical tests such as physical exam, blood tests, x-ray of the bowel more popularly known as barium enema or lower GI series. Barium for those who do not know is a kind of thick liquid that makes the bowel to become more visible especially on the x-ray. The application of the barium is through the anus. Another test is what you call the Endoscopy wherein the doctor inserts a thin tube into the bowel, which has a camera on it. The doctor used this to see the inside of the bowel for any signs of problems.

Tips to Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a problem of a few but of millions of people especially in the United States. It is not a disease but a disorder that can be controlled. Here are some tips on how to prevent IBS flare-ups:

-Changing your diet is one of the easiest ways of controlling your IBS. All you have to do is to avoid eating foods that cause gas such as broccoli and some types of beans. But take note that foods are not the only cause of gas; there are also some juices that cause gas pain such as apple juice and grape juice.

-Keeping a food journal can also help in keeping track with the food and drinks that you have to avoid. Your journal need not be fancy or complicated just jot down the foods and drinks, which have aggravated your Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

-Try to stay away from caffeine, some type of sweetener and alcohol since these can aggravate the bowel and caused IBS flare-ups. Likewise, it is also best to keep away from fatty foods especially pastries and desserts since these too can aggravate IBS symptoms.

-Another thing is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms although not common to male IBS patients but for the female patients this too can cause IBS flare-ups. By taking appropriate dietary steps will help to control PMS symptoms and in turn control also the IBS symptoms.

-And always remember to consult your doctor before following or applying various IBS treatments.

by: Low Jeremy

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