Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) facts
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by the presence of a cluster of symptoms and signs in adult or children that include cramping, abdominal pain, increased gas, altered bowel habits, food intolerance, and bloating (distention).
Irritable bowel syndrome is a "functional" disorder. This term refers to the changes in the functioning of the digestive system that results in the collection of symptoms referred to as IBS, meaning that it is a problem with the movement (motility) rather than any damage to the tissues of the digestive system.
In the past, irritable bowel syndrome was also called spastic colon or bowel, functional bowel disease, mucous colitis, or nervous colon. IBS is not the same as colitis, which is a group of separate conditions also referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
What causes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown. It is believed to be due to a number of factors including alteration in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility, abnormal nervous system signals, increased sensitivity to pain, and food intolerances. The following are some risk factors believed to cause IBS:
What are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and signs?
Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized mostly by abdominal pain and cramping. Other IBS symptoms and signs include
How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed?
Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed by excluding other GI disorders that can cause similar symptoms. A complete history and physical is taken to determine the duration and frequency of symptoms. To be diagnosed with IBS, the duration of symptoms should be at least six months, and should occur at least three times a month.
A doctor may order tests, including blood tests, stool tests, X-rays, or CT scans. There is no specific finding on these tests that can confirm the diagnosis of IBS, however, other problems can be ruled out by performing them.
A doctor may also send the patient to a gastroenterologist (a specialist for the digestive system). Depending on the symptoms, an upper endoscopy and/or colonoscopy may be performed.
What are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatments?
Dietary modifications are the first treatment that should be tried to treat IBS. There are several types of foods in particular that often trigger IBS symptoms and signs (read IBS diet).
If dietary modifications and lifestyle changes do not adequately treat IBS symptoms and signs, a doctor may recommend medical therapies.
IBS medications
Learn more about: Imodium | Lomotil | Reglan | Bentyl | Levsin | Amitiza | Linzess | Lotronex
Is there an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diet?
What you eat and how you eat can affect IBS symptoms. While it may not be possible to completely prevent IBS symptoms, you may find that certain foods trigger IBS symptoms. To help figure out which foods cause you symptoms, a doctor may suggest keeping a food diary.
Some foods can help in the prevention of symptoms.
Foods to eat that may provide IBS symptom relief (home remedies and others) for some peopleWhat lifestyle changes may help IBS symptoms?
Some lifestyle changes can also help relieve symptoms, are
Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) related to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is considered one of the factors that may produce signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The medical data from studies done on SIBO are conflicting.
Some studies show an increase in gas production by intestinal bacteria as a cause of the pain and bloating associated with IBS. However, other studies done to determine if SIBO is the cause of IBS and if antibiotic treatment of SIBO is helpful in reducing or eliminating IBS symptoms have not been conclusive.
What are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and signs?
Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized mostly by abdominal pain and cramping. Other IBS symptoms and signs include
How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed?
Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed by excluding other GI disorders that can cause similar symptoms. A complete history and physical is taken to determine the duration and frequency of symptoms. To be diagnosed with IBS, the duration of symptoms should be at least six months, and should occur at least three times a month.
A doctor may order tests, including blood tests, stool tests, X-rays, or CT scans. There is no specific finding on these tests that can confirm the diagnosis of IBS, however, other problems can be ruled out by performing them.
A doctor may also send the patient to a gastroenterologist (a specialist for the digestive system). Depending on the symptoms, an upper endoscopy and/or colonoscopy may be performed.
What are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatments?
Dietary modifications are the first treatment that should be tried to treat IBS. There are several types of foods in particular that often trigger IBS symptoms and signs (read IBS diet).
If dietary modifications and lifestyle changes do not adequately treat IBS symptoms and signs, a doctor may recommend medical therapies.
IBS medications
Learn more about: Imodium | Lomotil | Reglan | Bentyl | Levsin | Amitiza | Linzess | Lotronex
Is there an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diet?
What you eat and how you eat can affect IBS symptoms. While it may not be possible to completely prevent IBS symptoms, you may find that certain foods trigger IBS symptoms. To help figure out which foods cause you symptoms, a doctor may suggest keeping a food diary.
Some foods can help in the prevention of symptoms.
Foods to eat that may provide IBS symptom relief (home remedies and others) for some peopleWhat lifestyle changes may help IBS symptoms?
Some lifestyle changes can also help relieve symptoms, are
Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) related to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is considered one of the factors that may produce signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The medical data from studies done on SIBO are conflicting.
Some studies show an increase in gas production by intestinal bacteria as a cause of the pain and bloating associated with IBS. However, other studies done to determine if SIBO is the cause of IBS and if antibiotic treatment of SIBO is helpful in reducing or eliminating IBS symptoms have not been conclusive.
Source: http://www.rxlist.com
If dietary modifications and lifestyle changes do not adequately treat IBS symptoms and signs, a doctor may recommend medical therapies.
Source: http://www.rxlist.com
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