Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Pain of it All

If you suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, you know as well as I do that it is one of the most irritating symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFS). It is reported that approximately 60 percent of patients who suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome also have Fibromyalgia. As many as 70 percent of Fibromyalgia patients have reported to their doctors symptoms they experienced of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is considered a functional disorder of the colon. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder because no structural or biochemical cause can be found to explain the symptoms. When patients with IBS are fully tested, the colon will show no signs of inflammation, ulcers or disease. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is diagnosed after all other digestive disorders and diseases have been ruled out. Even though Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be very painful for some, it does not cause any other diseases.

Muscles in the colon normally contract a few times per day, moving the feces along and ultimately resulting in a bowel movement. The theory with Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients is that their muscles are believed to be extremely sensitive to certain triggers. Triggers such as certain foods, medications and stress can cause a strong response in the colon of a person with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This can cause the muscles to contract while the person is eating, leading to stomach cramps and diarrhea shortly after eating. For me, this problem is very annoying and it usually happens when we eat out in a restaurant. I no sooner finish my meal, get in the car to go, and my stomach will start cramping severely. There have been many times where my husband has had to stop at several places on the way home for me to use the restroom.

Researchers can not pinpoint why the muscles in the colon of a person with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are more sensitive and why someone with Irritable Bowel Syndrome reacts to the above triggers but others do not. Researchers have stated that they know that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not caused by stress or strong emotions. Some IBS patients report having their first flare up during a traumatic time in their lives, but researchers say that the stresses did not cause the condition but aggravated it to a point where it became more noticeable or bothersome.

Some foods digested that are known to trigger symptoms of IBS include milk and other dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated sodas and drinks, chocolate and fatty foods. Also eating a large meal can trigger symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include bloating, cramping pain in the abdomen, mucus in the stool, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Some people will experience bouts of constipation, then will experience bouts of diarrhea. Another symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that is not often discussed is acid reflux. I saw a specialist a few years back and he told me that my acid reflux problems were due to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome and he put me on a prescription medication called Prevacid. I will notice that my acid reflux acts up whenever I am having other symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The severity of symptoms will vary in individuals and can range anywhere from mild to disabling.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is usually diagnosed based on symptoms and after all other tests have been exhausted. Some of the tests that will be done to rule out other digestive disorders and cancer are blood tests, lower GI, and an Endoscopy where the doctor inserts a tube with a camera on it into the bowel.

If you have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or feel that you have this disorder, start keeping a food diary and list everything you eat so that your doctor can review your journal with you. I also recommend along with writing the foods you eat, write about your symptoms that day, how you feel physically, emotionally, and if there are any stresses in your life that particular day. By keeping a detailed diary or journal, you will be able to see what triggers your IBS symptoms and you will know what foods and stresses to avoid.

There are certain foods that you can eat that can help ease IBS symptoms. Try to eat plenty of foods that contain fiber because if constipation is one of your major symptoms, fiber will help soften your stool and makes it easier to pass. Try and eat apples, peaches, peas, raw broccoli, raw carrots, whole-grain breads, whole-grain cereals, kidney and Lima beans. Also it is best for IBS patients to eat four to five small meals a day since large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea.