subject: What You Should Know About Irritable Bowel Syndrome [print this page] Many people find it surprising to be diagnosed of a syndrome that has been with them for years. This is often the case with irritable bowel syndrome for which many people are only diagnosed and treated after several years of suffering over the disorder.
It is not surprising though that this is the case. People often think it normal that they visit the comfort room 5 times or so a day for a couple of weeks. Or say, abdominal cramping may become a normal occurrence after experiencing it for quite a time. People learn to get used with such discomforts after some time and many will then ignore these once it reoccurs.
This is basically the nature of irritable bowel disorder. Many may experience mild symptoms that would trigger various aches in the abdominal muscles followed by a period of absence of abdominal irritation.
10 to 15% of the general population suffers from irritable bowel disorder. It is the most common disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologists who specialize in conditions linked with the intestinal tract.
While irritable bowel may often be mistakened for colitis or mucous colitis, spastic colon, spastic colitis, ulcer, irritable colon or nervous stomach, many of its symptoms is relatively different from that of these diseases.
It is generally classified as functional disorder which means that the disease can be referred only through careful examination of the physiological function rather than identifiable biochemical or structural causes. It is characterized by an abnormality that cant be dealt with using conventional methods of diagnosis such as x ray, blood tests and examinations. Sometimes, even colonoscopy fails to work.
Colonospcopy is the use of a flexible tube that is inserted into the anus of the patient. This has a small camera on its end that is used for closer examination of the colon tissues. The image that is captured by this camera will then be transferred to the screen projector that physicians use for visual examination.
Irritable bowel syndrome is considered to be a multi-faceted condition. It is understood that irritable bowel is a product of the disturbance in the interaction between various bodily components. These are the intestines or the guts, the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling voluntary muscles including the lining and the components of the intestinal tract, and the brain.
Irritable bowel is characterized by a number of symptoms wherein the basic factor is determined by abdominal discomfort or pain that is associated with changes in bowel pattern such as frequent bowel movements, or loose and watery stools.
Symptoms vary from person to person, specifically in the frequency and intensity of "irritation". Most people experience mild abdominal distractions while others endure disabling attacks.
While there is still no cure yet for irritable bowel, treatment options are available in wide spectrum. From medications to changes in lifestyles, so long as the treatment works for your case, it is applicable. While some treatment may work for other people, other patients are less responsive to treatments. The same goes true with problematic foods that trigger the attacks. Some foods may cause other people to experience abdominal irritation while others may not feel any sensation at all.
To create a more comprehensive plan for treatment, it is best that you seek medical help. A dietician may also assist in formulating a feasible plan that is adaptive to your case.
