What Exactly is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Living with a chronic ailment can be devastating. Depending on the area affected, it can be down right painful and embarrassing. Much like dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

IBS is a chronic disease that affects over 58 million American each year, and most of those affected are women. There are some physicians out there who will allude to the notion that IBS is simply a psychological response, and not really an actual disease. Do not believe them! IBS is a serious, life-altering disease that can cause extremely stressful, uncontrollable and embarrassing moments.

While it is a disease in which the brain is not firing neurotransmitters properly, it is not a psychological disease. However, stress from the disease can cause emotional imbalances, perpetuating the symptoms. If you have had a doctor tell you it is all in your head, do not believe them. It isn't, completely. And it is not simply a stress condition.

The major symptoms of IBS are diarrhea, constipation, alternating instances of both, bloating, gas, indigestion and abdominal pain. Most individuals lack a proper control over their intestinal tract that result in sudden, painful and urgent needs to relieve themselves. In some instances, they can't even make it to the bathroom.

IBS can always cause non-gastrointestinal symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, insomnia, and backache. These symptoms can add to the stress of the situation and increase the chances of more flare-ups.

It is important to be aware of your physical and mental state at all times, to ensure that your IBS is in check. Some women may have flare ups during menstruation, while others will have a flare up in particularly random, though highly stressful times, while others will see flare ups directly after they have eaten a meal.

Doctors are not sure why IBS affects people or how, but it would seem that most patients with IBS have hypersensitive gastrointestinal tracts. Another contributing factor is that most are lactose intolerant, which can trigger irregular bowel movements and functions when ingested.

From what most investigations and research has shown IBS caused by a miscommunication between the brain and the bowels. In this instance, yes, it is all in your head, because your head and your gut aren't on good speaking terms anymore. Where the breakdown is, doctors are still unclear, but there is a breakdown between the organs. The misfirings can cause uncontrollable cramps, pain, abdominal spasms and general discomfort when a flare up is occurring.

Basically, the brain is firing off neurotransmitter that gives the gut mixed signals, so that it malfunctions. When the large intestine proceeds with a bowel movement in a normal situation, the peristalsis has a wave like motion that pushes the feces in one direction. In an intestine affected with IBS, the bowel can get mixed signals and actually set the muscle contractions in the same direction, causing extreme pain and discomfort when the muscles eventually meet up in the middle.

Others will see an increase in spasms that either will cause diarrhea (as muscles speed up past their normal rhythm) or constipation (as muscles slow, slowing bowel movements to a minimum). Some individuals will fluctuate between all of the events.

There is no current test or cure for IBS, but there are methods to prevent sudden onset of symptoms.

-A proper diet high in fiber and low in trigger foods (each person will have different trigger foods, so it is best to try to determine what your personal trigger foods are to manage a healthy diet for your gut) can relieve a great deal of the symptoms.

-Exercise is always good for the body and therefore good for the gut. Exercise can help alleviate stress and emotional imbalances to help prevent episodes.

-Keeping a journal of food intake, emotionality and stress can help you better determine your personal patterns, so you can avoid these triggers in the future.

If you think you might have IBS, or know someone who might, seek the professional advice of a doctor before seeking treatment. There are some great medications available for IBS sufferers, but you will need a doctor to prescribe them for you.