Is Your Digestive Upset Really IBS?

Most people have intestinal upset every one in a while. When symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, bloating and gas become chronic there may be something else wrong besides the jumbo sized burrito you eat for dinner last night. You could be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from an intestinal syndrome known as IBS or Irritable Bowl Syndrome.

In order to diagnose IBS syndrome you must have had alternating diarrhea and constipation for at least six months on at least three days over the last three months. Patients with the syndrome typically will also have abdominal pain that is relieved when they have a bowl movement. Generally, besides the plethora of gastrointestinal distress, patients exhibit no other symptoms of illness. However, some IBS sufferers will experience nausea and blood in the stool due to irritation in the wall the bowl do to frequent severe diarrhea and constipation. In most cases the doctor will eliminate more serious conditions such as colon cancer and Crohns disease before diagnosing IBS.

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary a great deal from patient to patient. Some are more bothered by severe constipation and some by frequent loose stools. All IBS suffers experience more symptoms during times of physical or mental stress. Many people have food that certain foods, drinks, or medications will flare up IBS symptoms. However, removing triggers for these patients does not usually clear up the many recurrent symptoms over the long term. Many women experience more severe symptoms during their menstrual cycle. Doctors can not really explain these changes; except to conclude that any change in the body of the IBS suffers can increase the amount and frequency bowl movements

There is no medical cure for IBS. Changes in diet and lifestyle have helped many people that have the condition. Many people benefit from looking at their diets and finding what food and drinks are triggers for an increase in symptoms. Many times spicy and greasy foods are found to be major culprits for triggering IBS flare ups. Some people find that foods we think that are good for our bowls like fibrous vegetables are the culprit.

Again, it is a very individual thing and keeps a diary tracking changes in your bowl movement and what you eat for a few weeks will help you find your individual IBS triggers. When you find you trigger food or drink try removing it from your diet and see if your symptoms improve.

Some people have found IBS relief by taking probiotics or by adding fiber supplements to their diet. Others find relief with generally safe prescription drugs like beetle. IBS suffers also say that things like Camille tea help relieve some of their symptoms. I was diagnosed with IBS in college and once I started drinking coffee on a regular basis I never really had very many symptoms again, except at the time of menstruation. Taking birth control to better regulate my periods helped relieve these period related IBS flare ups.

Talk to your doctor about ways to control your IBS. See if a prescription or fiber supplement might help your situation. Common sense things like avoiding your triggers and drinking lots of water will no doubt help most IBS suffers. When you having a severe flare up staying home and knowing it will pass may be the most the IBS suffer can do. In the long run learning to control the amount of stress in your life will be the most important thing most IBS sufferers do to control their condition.

Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs_ez/

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome.htm