Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that affects your bowels and can cause numerous unpleasant symptoms. If you eat food only to rush to the bathroom shortly after because your bowels are upset, you might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
The key features of IBS are abdominal pain and abnormal bowel activity. Changes in bowel habits could signal potential IBS.
People who experience this condition might be uncomfortable after eating or experience more symptoms after eating certain foods. You can treat IBS by making lifestyle changes, taking medication, and reducing stress.
What Are the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Knowing what symptoms to look out for will help you find relief if you think you might have IBS.
Some common symptoms of IBS, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, include:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Bowel habit changes
- Feeling like you still need to finish a bowel movement
- White mucus in your stool
While IBS can be painful and uncomfortable, it does not cause digestive tract damage or cause other health problems.
What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS has numerous potential causes. IBS occurs 1.5-2 times more often in women than men.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Disorders lists several potential causes of IBS, such as:
- Problems with how your brain and gut work together (brain-gut interaction)
- Genetics
- Stressful life events, including childhood trauma
- Mental health disorders
- Bacterial infections in your digestive system
- Food sensitivities or intolerances
- Bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine
While these are potential causes, doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes IBS, though many links exist to the abovementioned condition.
Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
There are numerous treatments available for IBS. Many of the treatments are focused on reducing specific symptoms of the condition.
Medication
Medication is one option for the treatment of IBS. If you have IBS, you may experience diarrhea or constipation. Medications such as stool softeners, laxatives, and fiber supplements may be used to treat constipation. If you have diarrhea, you may be prescribed loperamide or probiotics to help alleviate symptoms.
According to the National Institute of Health, other medication options for IBS include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for those with chronic abdominal pain. Another medication commonly prescribed for IBS symptoms is Rifaximin, an antibiotic used to treat IBS.
Lifestyle changes
If you have IBS, there are some steps you can take on your own to help provide relief from your symptoms. Ensuring you are getting plenty of exercise can improve symptoms, as exercise can help reduce the time food passes through your digestive tract.
Some people are sensitive to fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols known as FODMAPs, foods the intestines absorb poorly. Reducing foods that fall into the FODMAP category can reduce symptoms.
FODMAPs are foods such as:
- Wheat
- Fruits
- Onions
- Sorbitol
- Some dairy products
- Vegetables
These foods have been associated with increased symptoms of IBS.
Other lifestyle changes, according to PubMed, that can help reduce IBS symptoms include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing stress
- Eating three balanced meals a day
- Avoiding spicy foods
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Limited high-fat foods
Alcohol, high-fat, and spicy foods are all associated with increased IBS symptoms. Small changes in your diet can make a huge difference in your symptoms.
If you have IBS or suspect you have IBS, consider speaking to a medical professional about treatment options that are right for you.
Overview of IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition that causes bowels and abdominal cramping issues. Many individuals with IBS experience constipation, diarrhea, or both. Some treatments can help you reduce the discomfort caused by IBS symptoms.
Possible treatment for IBS includes medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes. Changing your diet to limit food that worsens IBS symptoms can also be a part of lifestyle changes for many people. For more information and to check out support groups for those with IBS, consider visiting the IBS Network.
Determining which treatments are right for you may take a little while. Staying the course of treatment can help you find relief.
Resource Links
“A Discussion of Whether Various Lifestyle Changes can Alleviate the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome” via PubMed Central
“Irritable Bowel Syndrome” via The National Institute of Health
“Symptoms & Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome” via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
"Effect of Gender on Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the Community: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" via The American Journal of Gastroenterology
