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What is Irritable
Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
is a functional disorder of the large intestine that is
characterized by bloating, chronic abdominal cramps and pain. IBS
also causes bouts of altered bowel behaviour between constipation,
diarrohea, and sometimes alternating between
both.
IBS affects people
worldwide but has been found to affect more females than males. IBS
can begin at any stage in life: childhood, adolescence, or
adulthood. IBS symptoms can disappear for periods of time only to
reappear at any time. Research has proven there is no connection
between IBS and an increased risk in other bowel conditions such as
colon cancer and inflammatory bowel
disease.
Irritable Bowel
Syndrome is also known to some as spastic colon, spastic bowel, and
functional bowel disorder. It is often confused with
colitis which shares some similarities but is far
more serious and can damage the colon if left untreated.
Although
researchers have yet to discover what triggers IBS, some studies
have shown IBS may be the result of the large and small intestines
over- or under-sensing factors which can lead to abnormal bowel
functions.
Some specialists also
believe the following factors could also trigger
IBS:
• Food
allergies
• Not enough
fibre in a person's diet
• Use of
antibiotics
•
Depression
•
Gastrointestinal infection
• Physical and
emotional stress
• Lack of
physical exercise
• Alcohol
abuse
• Acute
enteritis such as traveller's diarrohea
• Female
hormones
• Certain
medications and foods (such as coffee, chocolate, and dairy
products)
Certain events can also
trigger IBS such as travelling, a change in your daily routine,
attending social events, or during a female's menstrual period.
Please note that there is
no
definitive proof these actually cause IBS. They have just been
present in many cases of people who have been diagnosed with IBS.
The following have been noted as possible
symptoms of IBS. These symptoms can also appear due to other
illnesses and diseases. This is why you should consult your
physician if you exhibit combinations of these
symptoms:
• Changes in
bowel habits
• Mucus in the
stool
• Abdominal
cramping and pains which may either be dull aches or sporadic in
nature
• Urgent need to
have a bowel movement
• Excessive
gas
•
Bloating
• Constipation,
diarrohea, or periods where the two alternate
• Feeling like
you still need to have a bowel movement soon after having
one
• Abdominal pain
and cramping may disappear after having a bowel
movement
IBS can also impact
a person's quality of life on an everyday basis. IBS can make it
difficult to attend social gatherings due to the sudden onset of
symptoms.
Studies have shown people who are dealing with IBS miss three times
as many workdays which consequentially affects their professional
career.
How we treat IBS.
Here at Your Wellness Centre we understand
that each individual case of IBS must be looked at differently
depending on the patient. We look carefully at the toxicity of
their body and gut, the amount of stress they are under, their
diet, their allergies or suspected allergies and look in to any
previous Gastro-intestinal infections.
From that information we
are able to formulate a healthy plan of attack to assist in
relieving your symptoms and managing your IBS to allow your life to
continue unhindered by embarrassing and painful
symptoms.
If you feel ready to make
an appointment to discuss how we can help you with your IBS please
call us on 9879 9596. | 