People with IBS typically experience symptoms such as abdominal pain and cramps. Additionally, IBS can lead to frequent episodes of diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. If you suspect you have IBS symptoms you can visit hospitals in Turkey for irritable bowel syndrome treatment.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a collection of symptoms that impact the digestive system, making it a common yet uncomfortable gastrointestinal condition affecting the intestines.
Importantly, IBS does not cause damage to the tissues in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, nor does it elevate the risk of more serious conditions like colon cancer. There is no single type of irritable bowel syndrome treatment for every patient. Instead, IBS is a chronic, long-term condition that many individuals can manage through lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, medications, and behavioral therapy.
Types of IBS
Researchers classify irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on the appearance of stools during symptom flare-ups. Individuals with IBS often experience normal bowel movements on some days and abnormal ones on others, and the nature of these abnormal days determines the type of irritable bowel syndrome treatment.
• IBS with Constipation (IBS-C): On days of symptom flare-ups, most bowel movements are hard and lumpy.
• IBS with Diarrhea (IBS-D): During symptom flare-ups, most bowel movements are loose and watery.
• IBS with Mixed Bowel Habits (IBS-M): Individuals with this type of IBS experience both hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements during symptom flare-ups.
These distinctions are significant because certain irritable bowel syndrome treatments are more effective for specific types of IBS. Tailoring treatments to the specific characteristics of an individual’s IBS can help manage symptoms more effectively.
What Triggers IBS?
If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may have observed that certain factors can trigger your symptoms. While these triggers don’t cause the condition itself, they can lead to or worsen a flare-up of symptoms. Common triggers include:
• Periods: Individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) may notice a predictably worsened pattern of symptoms according to their menstrual cycle.
• Certain Foods: Food triggers can vary from person to person, but common culprits that may trigger an IBS symptom flare-up include dairy, foods containing gluten (like wheat), and items known to cause gas.
• Stress: Some researchers suggest that IBS may be the gut’s response to stress. This connection is why IBS is sometimes referred to as a “nervous stomach” or “anxious stomach.” Stress can play a significant role in exacerbating IBS symptoms.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can occur frequently or during flare-ups, and there may be times when you don’t experience symptoms at all. The signs and symptoms of IBS are:
• Abdominal pain or cramps, typically linked to the urge to have a bowel movement.
• Excess gas and bloating: Feeling gassy and bloated.
• Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two: Experiencing loose or watery stools, difficulty passing stools, or fluctuating between diarrhea and constipation.
• Mucus in your poop: The presence of whitish mucus in the stool.
• Feeling like you’re unable to empty your bowels after pooping: Sensation of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement.
Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not fully understood, but it is classified as a neurogastrointestinal (GI) disorder. These conditions, also known as disorders of the gut-brain interaction, involve issues in how the gut and brain coordinate for proper digestive system function.
• Dysmotility: Problems with the contraction and movement of GI muscles, particularly in the colon (large intestine). In individuals with IBS, the colon muscles may contract excessively, causing cramps and pain.
• Visceral Hypersensitivity: Increased sensitivity of nerves in the GI tract. People with IBS often have a lower pain tolerance, and their digestive tract may be highly responsive to abdominal pain or discomfort.
• Gut Bacteria: Research indicates that individuals with IBS may have altered bacteria in their GI tract, influencing symptoms. The types and amounts of gut bacteria can differ in people with IBS compared to those without it.
• Severe Infections: Some individuals are diagnosed with IBS after experiencing a severe infection affecting the GI tract, suggesting a potential role of germs in the development of IBS.
• Food Intolerance: Sensitivities or allergies to certain foods may contribute to IBS symptoms.
• Childhood Stress: IBS is more prevalent in individuals who have experienced severe stressors during childhood, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Diagnosis and Tests
The initial step in diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involves a thorough medical history assessment. Your healthcare provider will inquire about your symptoms, asking questions such as:
• Do you experience pain related to bowel movements?
• Have you noticed a change in the frequency of your bowel movements?
• Has there been a change in the appearance of your stool?
• How often do you experience symptoms?
• When did your symptoms start?
• What medications do you currently take?
• Have you recently been sick or undergone a stressful event?
Based on your symptoms, additional tests may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis. IBS doesn’t have a single specific test for diagnosis. Instead, your provider will consider:
• Inquiry into your symptoms.
• Ensuring that your colon cancer screening is up to date.
• Checking for symptoms indicating other disorders.
• Lab tests may be conducted to exclude other potential causes of your symptoms, such as infection, food intolerance, or different digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The specific tests needed can vary:
• Blood Test: To check for digestive disease or other conditions causing your symptoms.
• Stool Test: To identify infection or signs of bowel inflammation due to a digestive condition.
• Hydrogen Breath Test: To determine if there is an overgrowth of bacteria in your gut (SIBO) or a food intolerance.
• Imaging Tests: To rule out conditions involving inflammation or abnormal growths in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
• Colonoscopy: To assess certain bowel disorders causing symptoms, including polyps, IBD, and cancerous growths.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Similar to a colonoscopy but focuses on the rectum and lower part of the colon.
• Upper Endoscopy: To diagnose conditions like celiac disease or other GI issues by examining the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine.
These diagnostic steps help your healthcare provider gather information and exclude other potential causes before confirming an IBS diagnosis.
Management and Treatment
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all way for irritable bowel syndrome treatment, but many individuals can find a personalized treatment plan that works for them. Common irritable bowel syndrome treatment options include making changes to your diet and daily routine, using medications, and considering behavioral health therapy.
Meal Changes
A dietitian can assist you in selecting foods and adjusting eating or drinking habits to prevent symptom flare-ups. They may suggest:
• Increase fiber in your diet.
• Add supplemental fiber to your diet.
• Limit dairy products.
• Limit foods which can make you gassy.
• Avoid gluten.
• Drink plenty of water.
Activity Changes
Adjusting your daily activities can also be beneficial. Your healthcare provider may suggest:
• Get enough sleep.
• Exercise regularly.
• Try relaxation techniques.
Therapy
Therapy can assist in irritable bowel syndrome treatment by managing stress and addressing conditions like anxiety and depression that contribute to IBS.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Hypnotherapy.
• Biofeedback.
Medications
Medications specifically used in irritable bowel syndrome treatment include:
• Dicyclomine (Bentyl®).
• Hyosycamine (Levsin®).
• Lubiprostone (Amitiza®).
• Linaclotide (Linzess®).
• Plecanatide (Trulance®).
• Rifaximin (Xifaxan®).
