Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a form of gastrointestinal disorder. There are two kinds of IBS — IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) and IBS with constipation (IBS-C). IBS-D is characterized with frequent or persistent diarrhea, and sudden urges to have bowel movements. IBS-C is characterized by discomfort similar to constipation, and/or abdominal pain. Some who experience IBS will have alternating symptoms of IBS-D and IBS-C.
The exact cause of IBS is unknown, though it may be caused by some factors such as abnormalities in the gastrointestinal nervous system. Just as the cause is unknown, there are also no known cure for IBS — however there are a number of treatments that can reduce and/or eliminate symptoms such as modifying one’s diet and prescription medication.
As it is a form of gastrointestinal disorder, diet/food plays a major part in treating IBS. There are, however, no specific diet/food to eat when treating IBS as different people react differently to different foods. Thus, it is important for those with IBS to identify how they react to certain foods. In general, however, those with IBS find that their symptoms were reduced when they increased dietary fiber, drank lots of water, avoid soda, and eat smaller meals.
The best way of treating IBS is by consulting your doctor and/or a gastroenterologist to decide which treatment plans best suits you.
What is IBS?
Known as irritable bowel syndrome, IBS is a form of gastrointestinal disorder. Its symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, increased gas, altered bowel habits, and bloating. It is categorized as a “functional” disorder, meaning movement of the the digestive system is what causes some of the symptoms of IBS, and damage is not done to the tissues of the digestive system.
IBS can also be known as spastic colon or bowel, functional bowel disease, mucous colitis, or nervous colon.
The Difference Between IBS and IBD
IBD stands for inflammatory bowel diseases. There are shared symptoms between IBS and IBD, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or urgent bowel movements, however the two are largely different. Here are some of the differences between IBS and IBD:
- IBD is a group of diseases that include more severe illnesses that affect the gastrointestinal system, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBS is a group of symptoms that make up the disorder. Those with IBS have a functional gastrointestinal disorder rather than a disease, and is less serious than IBD.
- IBS does not cause inflammation to the bowels like IBD. It also does not result in permanent damage to intestines and cause harmful complications such as intestinal bleeding, rectal bleeding, and/or ulcers. These are often seen for those who have IBD.
What causes IBS?
The exact cause of IBS is unknown, though it is thought to be the result of a number of factors. These factors include alteration in the gastrointestinal tract motility (movement of the digestive system), abnormal nervous system signals (poor signals between the brain and the intestine), increased sensitivity to pain, and/or food intolerances. These factors, and more, are detailed below:
- Abnormal movements of the colon and small intestines (too fast/slow, or too weak/strong)
- Increased in sensitivity to pain from a full bowel and/or gas
- Increased sensitivity to certain foods. This can be caused by your body’s poor absorption of sugars and/or acids found in some foods
- Gastroenteritis — commonly referred to stomach flu or stomach bug — a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and intestines. This can cause some IBS symptoms.
- Imbalance of reproductive hormones or neurotransmitters
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) — a condition in which the body is unable to absorb nutrients from the intestine.
- Genetics could be a possible cause, however this has not been scientifically shown or proven
- Though not a direct cause of IBS, stress and other psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression can worsen the symptoms of IBS.
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