Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Overview

 

Irrelevant Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disease of the intestines in which there is complaint of turbinate, pain, discomfort, flatulence, vata, diarrhoea and occasionally constipation.

IBS is a chronic illness in which most people are persistent in discomfort and many people experience severe symptoms.  IBS has a negative effect on the life, does not feel like working, anxiety, fatigue, frequent diarrhoea, and some patients also have disappointments due to this.

It is not like other diseases of the intestine, there is no change or abnormalities in the structure or tissues due to IBS. Disease is diagnosed on the basis of the medical presentation in relation to how often the complaint is maintained and its duration.

Having IBS plays an important role in diet, lifestyle and stress. There can be no similar symptoms in any two people suffering from IBS.

Some people may be complaining of diarrhoea prominently, so some people are chiefly complaining of constipation, while some people complain of pain, embarrassment, flatulence, and uncomfortable as well as both types of problems. Despite having a long-term problem, many patients do not realize that they are complaining of IBS because they become accustomed to these symptoms. If you have frequent defecation, vata and thin diarrhoea, as well as constipation, it is a common symptom of IBS and if you are seeing these symptoms then you need to make your assessment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Causes

A variety of factors cause IBS, some of which are listed below:

·        Stress: Stress is linked to IBS and can also make it worse. IBS gets aggravate when one is anxious, such as before a presentation, an important meeting or before a test or exam.

·        Foods: Certain foods such as chocolates, oily and heavy foods, and spicy foods can aggravate the symptoms of IBS.

·        Alcohol: Regular intake of alcohol could increase IBS.

·        Lifestyle: Erratic eating patterns, too much travelling, and frequent consumption of outside food can increase the symptoms of IBS.

·        Intestinal functioning: If you have IBS, your intestinal contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal, causing gas, bloating and diarrhoea. Weak intestinal contractions could cause constipation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Symptoms

When a number of symptoms occur together, they characterise irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These symptoms are listed below:

·        Sharp, dull or cramping pain or discomfort in the abdomen

·        Change in the frequency of stools

·        Diarrhoea or constipation

·        Relief from IBS discomfort or pain after a bowel movement

·        Urgency to pass stools

·        Feeling of incomplete evacuation

·        Abdominal bloating or a feeling of fullness

·        Associated symptoms could be acidity, lack of sleep, headaches, fatigue and sexual dysfunction

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diagnosis

A detailed history, physical examination and limited diagnostic tests help confirm an IBS diagnosis. More extensive testing is reserved for specific situations. A psychological evaluation is also useful in relating IBS to quality of life, anxiety and stress.

Complications

·        Relieved by passage of stools

·        Accompanied by change in frequency of stools at the onset

·        Accompanied by change in consistency of stools at the onset

In addition, the patient must also have two of the following features at least 25% of the times:

·        Recurrent diarrhoea can lead to weight loss and mal-absorption.

·        Predominant constipation IBS can increase the risk of piles and fissure.

·        Persistent pain prevents day-to-day activities, work, concentration and productivity.

·        IBS also has a psychological impact; some of the resulting complications are fear of social gatherings and parties, fear of travelling, fear of eating outside food, depression, stress and burden of the disease, and increased anxiety.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Treatment

Homeopathic medicines are very effective in treating IBS. A clinical study found that 62% IBS patients who took homeopathy saw positive results, as opposed to only 25% patients benefitting from allopathic treatment. Homeopathic medicines safely and surely address the symptoms of IBS along with its complications. Homeopathy also effectively deals with the aggravated emotional symptoms that are caused by IBS.