Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common disease among the functional diseases of the digestive system. Find out the most important information and details about it in the following article:
Important information about irritable bowel syndrome
Functional gastrointestinal diseases and irritable bowel syndrome usually have a chronic nature, with periods of worsening symptoms and periods of calm, which causes great suffering that affects the patient''s quality of life.
Usually when a person undergoes an examination for functional gastrointestinal diseases, the results are benign, that is, they do not show any objective evidence of an anatomical abnormality or biochemical disorder.
How does irritable bowel syndrome affect the person suffering from it?
It is known that bowel movement, as well as the threshold of sensitivity to pain, are controlled through a mutual connection between the digestive system, the central nervous system (Systema nervosum central) and the brain, called the brain-gut axis.
Some patients with irritable bowel syndrome also suffer from depression or anxiety, but the prevailing opinion among experts currently is that these phenomena are not the cause of irritable bowel syndrome. However, depression or anxiety can exacerbate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. .
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
The general symptoms of the disease, in addition to the symptoms that require seeing a doctor, are as follows:
1. General symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are characterized by the following
Chronic abdominal pain.
Chronic diarrhea.
Chronic constipation.
Diarrhea and constipation nating.
Increased gas.
Abdominal bloating.
Image of a woman suffering from abdominal pain
2. Symptoms that require medical review
These symptoms are as follows
Weight loss.
Bleeding from the rectum.
Iron deficiency anemia.
Constant pain in the abdomen that does not relieve except with defecation or passing wind.
Vomiting of unknown cause.
Difficulty swallowing.
Causes and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome
There are many causes and factors that lead to irritable bowel syndrome, which are as follows:
1. Causes of irritable bowel syndrome
There are many causes that may lead to irritable bowel syndrome, such as
Contractions of the muscles in the intestine: Strong and continuous digestive contractions for long periods of time cause diarrhea, bloating, and gas, while slow contractions cause constipation and hard stools.
Nerve problems related to the digestive system: Nerve disorders between the brain and the digestive system cause digestive disorders, such as: constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Some severe microbial infections that cause diarrhea: Irritable bowel syndrome may occur after severe gastrointestinal infections, or it may occur as a result of bacterial overgrowth.
Life stressors: Individuals who live in conditions full of stress and anxiety tend to have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome more than others.
Imbalance of bacteria present in the intestines: Research indicates that the bacteria and fungi naturally present in the intestines differ in colon patients from healthy people.
2. At-risk groups
The following are the most important groups at risk for irritable bowel syndrome
Individuals under 50 years of age.
Females are more susceptible than men, especially when exposed to estrogen therapy during menopause.
Having a family history of illness.
Depression and anxiety patients.
Complications of irritable bowel syndrome
Complications of irritable bowel syndrome include the following
Poor quality of life.
Mood disorders, such as: depression and anxiety.
Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome
The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome were diagnosed in the past in a way that required the patient to undergo many tests before diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome. During the past decade, indicators were published that help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, called the Rome indicators, and irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed based on them.
The Rome Indicators are a typical set of symptoms based on a few basic tests, such as: blood and stool tests, appropriate and the absence of pathological evidence or warning signs that require further research and examination, such as: a sharp in weight, fever, and anemia.
People with irritable bowel syndrome may sometimes suffer from functional disorders in other body systems, such as: joint and muscle pain, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome can be confirmed with 98% confidence. It has become clear in recent years that about 17% of irritable bowel syndrome cases began with an acute bacterial infection in the intestine. In these patients, the symptoms become chronic, as special tests, such as a biopsy of Intestine the presence of an acute inflammatory factor.
Irritable bowel syndrome treatment
Treating functional diseases of the intestine is a complex and complicated task, as there is no single mechanism causing irritable bowel syndrome, and there is also no single magic drug.
In general, treatment for irritable bowel syndrome includes the following main topics
1. Home treatment for irritable bowel syndrome
What is meant here is to make changes, whether in diet or daily habits, that will cause the infection to become more severe. The most important of these changes are:
Avoid foods that increase symptoms.
Focus on eating foods rich in dietary fiber.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Do exercise regularly.
Get enough sleep daily.
Try to avoid foods that cause gas.
Avoid gluten foods occasionally.
Consulting a nutritionist will help you develop an appropriate nutritional program tailored to your health condition.
2. Treatment with medications
Other times, the doctor may prescribe some medications aimed at treating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including:
Dietary fiber supplements, such as those containing cotton seeds or psyllium husks.
Laxative medications, such as: magnesium hydroxide, or polyethylene glycol.
Antidiarrheal medications, such as loperamide.
Pain relievers, such as pregabalin or gabapentin.
Tricyclic antidepressants or ive serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Of course, the doctor''s choice of medications depends on your health condition and the symptoms accompanying your irritable bowel syndrome.
Prevention of irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome can be prevented by following the following tips
Eat dietary fiber.
Stay away from foods that irritate your irritable colon.
Make sure to exercise.
Eat meals regularly and do not skip any meal.
Stay away from stress and anxiety factors.
