What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a group of multiple signs and symptoms related to gastroenterology. It can occur both in adults as well as children. It is a functional disorder which leads to certain changes in the bowel movements.
Signs and symptoms
Following signs can directly indicate that you might have IBS and that you must consult a gastroenterologist.
Abdominal pain and cramps - This is the most frequently occurring symptom in people having IBS. The coordination signals between the brain, nerves and the digestive system are disturbed leading to tension in the muscles of the digestive tract. This causes pain mainly in the lower abdomen. This pain is usually relieved after a bowel movement.
Diarrhea - Diarrhea occurs in almost 1/3rd of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The patient may have nearly 12 bowel movements in a week. In some cases, there is a sudden urge to have a bowel movement. The stools are loose, watery and also contain mucus.
Constipation- Approximately 50% of the people affected by IBS suffer from constipation. There is an abnormality in coordination between the brain and the digestive system. Due to the prolonged time taken by the food to travel through the entire body, water from the stools is absorbed and it becomes difficult to pass stools. The number of bowel movements can be even less than 3 in a week.
Intolerance to food - Nearly 70% of the suffering from IBS due to food triggers. These triggers are different from food allergies. These are different for different people. The most common food triggers include FODMAPs. (There is a list of FODMAP foods at the end). Other than these type of foods, stimulants like caffeine, lactose, and gluten can also cause intolerance.
Fatigue - A large section of people suffering from IBS report fatigue. They feel lack of physical stamina that ultimately affect their work and social life.
Insomnia - There is difficulty in falling asleep and staying asleep. People often wake up feeling restless in the morning. 15% of the people suffering from IBS are known to have difficulty sleeping. The intensity of fatigue and insomnia indicated the severity of these symptoms.
Depression and anxiety - Even though it is not completely proven, but most of the people suffering from IBS tend to have depression or anxiety. These mental issues or Irritating Bowel Syndrome tend to aggravate each other, whichever comes first. A study was done recently, in which two groups of people were tested for the levels of the stress hormone called Cortisol. It was found out that the group of people having IBS had a higher amount of cortisol as compared to the other group without IBS.
It was also discovered later that people having IBS get relief from the symptoms after getting anxiety treatment.
Flatulence and bloating - Alterations in the bowel movements can often lead to bloating and flatulence (production of gas). These are very common in both men and women.
How it can be treated?
The best gastroenterologists in India mostly suggest the following measures to get rid of IBS.
General measures
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Drink sufficient fluids
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Reduce the intake of stimulants such as tea or coffee.
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Avoid skipping meals.
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Reduce alcohol intake.
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Do not take carbonated sugar-based drinks.
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Limit intake of processed or packaged foods.
Management of stress
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Increased use of relaxation methods such as meditation.
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Doing a certain type of physical exercises like yoga.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy.
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Regular exercise.
Medications
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Drugs to treat diarrhea such as loperamide, which delays the contractions of intestinal muscles.
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Drugs to treat depression like Tricyclic antidepressant. These also help in reducing abdominal cramps.
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Antispasmodic medications are also used to treat abdominal pain and cramping.
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Laxatives are medications used to treat constipation.
*What are FODMAP foods?
FODMAP refers to Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed by the body. This results in abdominal bloating and pain. FODMAPs are fermented in the large intestine during the digestion process. They absorb water and produce carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane gas causing expansion of the intestine. Some of the most common high FODMAP foods are listed below:
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Certain vegetables such as onions, cauliflower, split peas, etc.
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Fruits such as peaches, figs, avocados, cherries, prunes, etc.
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Dried fruits and fruit juice concentrate.
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Beans and lentils
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Dairy products containing lactose
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Artificial sweeteners
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Bran cereals
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Chestnut flour
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