Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, may affect as many as one in five people and
is characterized by constipation, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping.
IBS is sometimes called by other names, including spastic colitis, mucous colitis,
or spastic colon, but IBS does not normally cause permanent damage to the intestines
or lead to serious diseases such as cancer, although it causes a great deal of
discomfort.
Symptoms and causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Symptoms and Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
The most frequent symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain, bloating, and a feeling
of discomfort, but can vary a great deal from one person to the next. Some people
have constipation while others have diarrhea, with others going back and forth
between the two. Any of these symptoms may disappear for a time, only to return,
or they may never go away and even worsen over time.
Researchers have yet to find a single cause for IBS, but the immune system
may be involved or the large intestine may be particularly sensitive to
certain foods or stress. Bacteria in the small intestine has been the most
recent area of study.
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People who suffer from IBS may have a colon that temporarily stops working or
that works intermittently. Food may move too slowly through the colon and cause
constipation, or it can move too quickly and result in diarrhea.
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Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
There is no single test for IBS, so diagnosis normally begins with a physical
examination and a complete medical history and discussion of your symptoms. Blood
tests, stool samples, and X-rays may be taken to rule out other conditions, and
your gastroenterologist, Dr. Shamsi may need to perform a colonoscopy to study
your colon.
If no other cause for your symptoms is found, IBS may be based on how frequently
the discomfort has shown up during the past year, the appearance and disappearance
of pain that accompanies bowel movements, and changes in the frequencies and nature
of your bowel movements.
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Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
There is no single drug or cure for IBS, so treatment may focus on reducing or
eliminating particular symptoms of the condition. Medications to help with constipation,
diarrhea, or abdominal pain may be prescribed, or a combination that includes
antidepressants may be recommended.
A course of antibiotics may improve IBS for months to years <link to JAMA article>,
and Dr. Shamshi has found great success treating his patients with IBS with this
treatment plan.
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