Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : February 25, 2015 12:24 PM IST
You, probably, are so used to eating junk foods on a regular basis that you start ignoring the gassy, burpy and grumbling reactions of your body to these foods. It's time to be more aware and attentive because by not listening to your body or gut, to be precise, you are just adding on to the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
There have been several misconceptions about IBS and one of the biggest ones is that IBS is a disease. It is a group of symptoms caused by changes in the functions of the GI tract which include stomach ache (lower region), diarrhoea, bloating and constipation. (Read: Diarrhoea causes, symptoms,treatment and prevention)
Individual symptoms of IBS are so common that people can hardly differentiate between IBS and other irregularities of bowel movement. This could the reason why most people with the problem don't seek medical help.
When should I visit a doctor?
Although IBS is not a life-threatening condition but living with it can get really difficult as the symptoms may worsen with time and lead to other conditions like haemorrhoids. Therefore, any digestive problem that lasts for more than 3 months should be addressed by a specialist. Sometimes, the symptoms of constipation or diarrhoea accompanied with cramps may worsen for a few weeks and then subside for a while. In such cases, too, it is better to visit a doctor. Because the symptoms of IBS also tend to overlap with symptoms of other intestinal disorders, it is always better to get a check up done
Diagnosis
The doctor will identify your problem as IBS if the main symptoms of stomach pain (lower region), gas, and bloating persist for at least 3 days every month for over 3 months. (Read: 10 reasons for bloating or abdominal gas you didn't know about)
Other signs that indicate IBS include:
To confirm IBS, your doctor may ask you to take some blood tests. These tests are often recommended to rule out other serious diseases.
What triggers IBS?
The exact cause of IBS is not yet understood. However, researchers believe that both physical and mental health problems are capable of triggering IBS.
Specific food eating habits are found to trigger IBS. Many patients with IBS report that the common signs of IBS are often triggered after eating carbohydrate rich foods, spicy and fatty foods or beverages like coffee and alcohol. It is believed that symptoms of IBS may result due to weak absorption of sugars or bile acids that help fats to break down and eliminate wastes from the body.
Studies have found a link between people with anxiety, stress, depression or other psychological problems and development of IBS. However, the establishment of the link is yet unclear.
It has been observed that people whose family members suffer from intestinal problems often show the symptoms of IBS.
Some patients who have an intestinal infection (gastroenteritis) may develop symptoms of IBS. This is called post-infectious IBS. The reason is not clearly understood.
Treatment of IBS
IBS does not have a definite cure. But there are different ways in which the symptoms of IBS can be treated.
Dietary changes
The most common trigger of IBS is food sensitivity. Therefore, in majority of the cases, a change in eating habits may be suggested. There is no specific diet for IBS that should be followed as such. But the following changes in eating habits may help:
Medication
It's better to avoid taking over-the-counter drugs. Consult your doctor before taking one. There is no single medicine that can tackle all the symptoms of IBS. But, your doctor may prescribe:
Alternatives for treatment of IBS
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diarrhoea.
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