Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Free Online Articles Directory

Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
AB Answers

Publish Article

0 && $.browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($.browser.version);
if(ie_version Hello Guest
Login

Login via

Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out

Email

Password


Remember me?
Lost Password?

Home Page > Health > Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Edit Article |

Posted: Apr 03, 2007 |Comments: 0
|

Share

]]>

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, affects an estimated 15-20% of the population today, which is more than depression, diabetes, and asthma combined. This troubling condition that is physical in nature rather than psychological is characterized by a series of symptoms generally occurring in the lower abdominal region. These symptoms can be considered mild, moderate, or severe although the intensity is likely to vary, even from day to day, in the same person.

IBS, a disorder which is most commonly diagnosed by gastroenterologists, affects people of all ages and ethnicities. However, women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to experience the condition, although researchers are still unsure as to why. IBS in women is often associated with their menstrual cycle, although it can occur at any time.

“Irritable bowel” refers to disturbances or changes in regular bowel function, and the word “syndrome” indicates that there are a number of signs rather than one exclusive symptom that characterizes the condition. While everyone may have an occasional disturbance of the bowel and its functioning from time to time, people afflicted with IBS experience more severe symptoms that are frequent and occur on a regular basis.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary in intensity and location, although the lower abdomen is where the most “activity” occurs. IBS is characterized by a series of symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, gas-like cramping, reoccurring or chronic diarrhea and changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel patterns. Nausea, bloating, gas, and constipation alternating with diarrhea are also commonly reported symptoms of IBS.

25-50% of IBS patients also report that they experience regular heartburn along with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Many people suffering with IBS also report a number of signs that are non-gastrointestinal in nature such as muscle pain, sexual dysfunction, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Lower backaches and headaches are also commonly reported symptoms from those with severe cases of IBS.

The symptoms of IBS are likely to mimic those of many other disorders, which is why a proper diagnosis by a physician is essential. Clinical tests that depend on factors such as your age, overall health, your family history, as well as your reoccurring symptoms can be conducted to rule out other conditions. Symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, and continual pain are NOT signs of IBS and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.

The signs or symptoms of IBS occur due to a disturbance in function between the brain and the gastrointestinal system, which is why IBS is classified as a “functional” disorder. People suffering from the condition appear to have no physical signs of disease such as structural abnormalities that can be detected by medical tests.

Experts believe that there is a disorder or some form of miscommunication between the interactions of the brain and the intestinal system, which ultimately affects movement and the sensitivity of nerves in the intestines in people with IBS. The brain and the autonomic nervous system are responsible for regulating the bowel and its functioning which is one of the ways we know that IBS is not a psychological or psychiatric disorder.

While there is no cure for IBS, there are a number of effective ways of controlling or even eliminating the symptoms of the condition such as diet, stress management, herbal and organic supplements, hypnosis and drug therapy including laxatives, anti-diarrheals, anti-spasmodic drugs and anti-depressants. With proper diagnosis and treatment it is possible to lead a normal, productive life even with IBS.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/get-the-facts-on-irritable-bowel-syndrome-126078.html”

(ArticlesBase SC #126078)

Liked this article? Click here to publish it on your website or blog, it’s free and easy!

Sarah Munn -
About the Author:

For more information on irritable bowel syndrome visit Conquer IBS — a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources on alleviating IBS symptoms through proper dieting.

]]>

Questions and Answers

Ask our experts your Health related questions here…200 Characters left

I had a ct scan, and it said i had a enlarged appendix, also i was told i have irritable bowel syndrome, they just gave me some pain killers and sent me home,im concerned?whats your opinion?
Hi I have been diagnosed with a hernia and some ulcers in my bowel and I have a very irritable stomach, I was wondering if olive leaf extract wiuld help relieve the ulcers. angeleyes@ausralis.net

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/get-the-facts-on-irritable-bowel-syndrome-126078.html

Article Tags:
ibs, irritable bowel syndrome, ibs diet

Related Videos

Related Articles

Latest Health Articles
More from Sarah Munn

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Ongoing Research

Dr. Swanson discusses the latest research on alcohol and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). (00:38)

The Triggers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a disorder that involves a several symptoms related to altered bowel habits and abdominal pain. Gastroenterology specialist, Dr. Sidney Smith discusses triggers for IBS and how a doctor may treat this disorder. (04:05)

How Irritable Bowel Syndrome Can Often Develop From Abuse

Dr. Swanson explain how abuse can often develop into Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). (00:39)

How to Diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Dr. Swanson explains the tests that diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). (00:36)

How Alcohol Affects Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Dr. Swanson discusses the affects of alcohol on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). (00:37)

Latest Research on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common disorder and prevalent in western Countries. This article focuses on latest facts and research about IBS with respect to causes, symptoms and treatment.

By:
Kiran Tamadal

Writing>
Non-Fictionl
Oct 10, 2007
lViews: 817

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – A Functional Disorder

Irritable bowel syndrome – As the name suggests affects your bowel which is also your large intestine. It is an important part of your digestive system which makes and stores stool.

By:
Sharon Hopkinsl
Advertisingl
Jun 21, 2006
lViews: 274

IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms and Causes

Many health professionals claim that IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome has more to do with bad eating habits along with poor nutrition than any other reason. They advocate modifying the diet so that it centres on more healthy food options and suggest using a mild herbal colon-cleansing product to further assist proper bowel functioning, which in turn will promote better colon health.

By:
Eddie Huddl

Health>
Diseases and Conditionsl
May 26, 2008
lViews: 290

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

General overview of the condition known as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.

By:
Mike Leel

Writing>
Non-Fictionl
Jun 13, 2007

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ibs) Treatments

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who seek medical help are more likely to go through from anxiety and stress than those who do not seek help. Stress and anxiety are known to affect the intestine; thus, it is likely that anxiety and stress worsen symptoms. However, stress or anxiety is probably not the cause.

By:
Dr. Mital Johnl
Healthl
Feb 10, 2010
lViews: 200

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (ibs) – a Functional Disorder

Irritable bowel syndrome – As the name suggests affects your bowel which is also your large intestine. It is an important part of your digestive system which makes and stores stool. This condition is associated with many symptoms due to which it is termed as syndrome. You may be shocked or surprised by the number of people who are affected by this kind of a problem. IBS cannot be termed as a disease but a functional disorder related to the bowel. Intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis and C

By:
Sharon Hopkinsl

Health>
Diseases and Conditionsl
Oct 06, 2007

Natural Home Remedies For Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ibs)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition and is second only to the common cold as a cause of absence from work. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of people in the general population experience symptoms of IBS, although only about 15 percent of affected people actually seek medical help.

By:
Dr. Mital Johnl

Health>
Diseases and Conditionsl
Mar 24, 2010
lViews: 125

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ibs)-Symptoms And Natural Remedies

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common name for a conglomerate of bizarre, unlinked symptoms. The word ‘syndrome’ refers to a collection of symptoms, which, unlike a disease, have no clearly identifiable cause. Since an actual cause for the abdominal symptoms you and countless others suffer is unknown, doctors often treat it in the same way as a stress-related problem, offering antidepressants and drugs for symptomatic relief.

By:
Dr Mosaraf Alil

Health>
Anti Agingl
Feb 20, 2010
lViews: 176

Best Anti Aging Tips That Can Prevent Facial Wrinkles

Facial wrinkles can be prevented if you know how to take good care of your skin. Learn some anti aging tips that can give you young and healthy skin.

By:
Foo Kwong Mengl
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Natural Medicine to Improve the Health of your heart

If you are thinking of improving the health of your heart, through natural medicine, check with your doctor first. Some types of herbs and plants could endanger your cardiovascular health.

By:
jasonausiel
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Alternative to Botox might be safe to smooth forehead lines

The use of Botox to reduce frown lines and lines of expression has long been one of the main tasks of cosmetic medicine. The drug works by preventing the facial muscles to contract, an effect that lasts several months.

By:
jasonausiel
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Mommy Makeover Surgery

Many of today’s mothers don’t feel they ought to sacrifice the way they look just because they’ve had children. Plastic surgeons specialize in patients in their 20s, 30s plus 40s. This often includes ladies who have had children. These ladies usually require their tummies plus breasts back the way they looked before pregnancy.

By:
Dave Stringhaml
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Drinking Water Purification Techniques – Discover The Safest and Most Effective Method

There have been many water purification techniques used over the years and although many were effective, they also removed other important minerals from the water. With today’s modern menace of synthetic chemicals like pharmaceuticals and pesticides, only one type of filter is up to the job.

By:
Ray Hamiltonl
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Drinking Water Filtration System – How To Find The Best That Remove 99% of The Main Contaminants

Sadly today, a drinking water filtration system is something of a necessity, rather than a luxury. If you want to protect your family’s health and future well-being, this article will show you what to look for to ensure you only select the most effective filters.

By:
Ray Hamiltonl
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Domestic Water Purification Systems and How To Select The Best Type

If you want to protect your health and that of your family, domestic water purification systems can provide the answer. The problem is that today there are many different types and many cannot remove the harmful synthetic chemicals found in your drinking water. Discover how to find the most effective ones for healthy and pure water.

By:
Ray Hamiltonl
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Natural Water Purification – Discover The Best Method of Purifying Your Water as Nature Intended

Unfortunately today, truly natural water purification is not possible. There are too many chemicals in the soil and ground water for us to drink water safely. Many of the home filtration systems also leave your water in an unnatural and unhealthy state.

By:
Ray Hamiltonl
Healthl
Dec 22, 2010

Ten Tips for Caring for Your Discus Fish

Ten key tips for starting and maintaining a thriving discus fish aquarium. Follow these 10 guidelines to ensure that your fish remain happy, healthy, interactive and full of energy.

By:
Sarah Munnl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Dec 28, 2008
lViews: 722

Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Bearded dragons are relatively simple to care for, as long as you know what you’re doing! Read on for some basic guidelines that will teach you how to give your beardie the care he requires.

By:
Sarah Munnl
Healthl
Apr 03, 2007

Basic Bearded Dragon Care Guidelines

Bearded dragons are relatively simple to care for, as long as you know what you’re doing! Read on for some basic guidelines that will teach you how to give your beardie the care he requires.

By:
Sarah Munnl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Apr 03, 2007
lViews: 4,082

The Essentials of Proper Betta Fish Care

Is the color from your Betta fish draining? Is he listless, or spending his days at the bottom of the tank? Chances are a few simple changes to your tank conditions could restore him to full health! Read on for some essential betta fish care tips. Your betta will thank you for it!

By:
Sarah Munnl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Mar 22, 2007
lViews: 794

Add new Comment

Your Name: *

Your Email:

Comment Body: *

Verification code:*

* Required fields

Author Navigation

My Home
Publish Article
View/Edit Articles
View/Edit Q&A
Edit your Account
Manage Authors
Statistics Page
Personal RSS Builder

My Home
Edit your Account
Update Profile
View/Edit Q&A
Publish Article
Author Box

Sarah Munn has 4 articles online

Contact Author

Subscribe to RSS

Print article

Send to friend

Re-Publish article

Articles Categories
All Categories

Advertising
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Business
Careers
Computers
Education
Finance
Food and Beverage
Health
Hobbies
Home and Family
Home Improvement
Internet
Law
Marketing
News and Society
Relationships
Self Improvement
Shopping
Spirituality
Sports and Fitness
Technology
Travel
Writing

Health

Acne
Allergies
Alternative Medicine
Anti Aging
Cancer
Dental Care
Disabilities
Diseases and Conditions
Hair Loss
Hearing
Medical Tourism
Medicine
Men’s Health
Mental Health
Nutrition
Plastic Surgeries
Quit Smoking
Sleep
Supplements & Vitamins
Vision
Wellness
Women’s Health

]]>

Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog

Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map

Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us

Business Info
Advertising

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2010 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.

Although irritable bowel syndrome or IBS for short is one of the most common ailments known to man, few know what it means when they encounter the term. Some have not even encountered the words in their lifetime.

What IBS is All About

Irritable bowel syndrome is the problem that people encounter when they have problems in their bowel movement. About 15 percent of people in the United States are affected by this condition, characterized by the abnormal movement of bowels. IBS is also known by other names such as spastic colon, spastic colitis, and mucous colitis, which are all scientific and too technical terms for the layman to ever understand. In fact, the term irritable bowel syndrome is actually the most common of the terms being used for problems like this.

Symptoms of Ibs

Irritable bowel syndrome involves recurrent constipation, diarrhea and cramping in the abdomen. Some people who have ibs may also experience episodes of vomiting and nausea. Others will also experience dyspepsia and feelings of fullness because of problems in the digestion of food or in the transportation of food particles through the various parts of the digestive system.

Often, irritable bowel syndrome is correlated with stress. It seems that stressors can directly affect the functions of the abdomen, thereby causing IBS. Anxiety and panic attacks can also be a cause of Ibs.

Diagnosis as Last Resort

Diagnosing the presence of Ibs is only done when the possibility of problems in the various digestive and gastro-intestinal tracts have been ruled out. Examples of these problems are inflammatory bowel syndrome, presence of worms and other parasites in the intestine and sometimes even polyps.

When physicians are sure that nothing else is wrong in the digestive tract, ibs is then thought of. The reason why ibs is the last resort when diagnosing the problem is that it is mainly a functional problem and not something caused by developed disorders or parasites and bacteria. Most of the time, the problem lies in some parts of the gastro-intestinal tract, whether the muscles, the nerves that control the organs or even the organs themselves. When the problem is the nerves, further investigation is needed as the problem may lie inside the brain or in the spinal cord.

Another reason why ibs is diagnosed late is the fact that the problem cannot be seen through any specific microscopic test. Often, ibs is diagnosed only when there is not abnormality or problem that can be seen in tests.

Causes of IBS

As mentioned earlier, Ibs is believed to be the cause of an abnormality in the function of the digestive tract. Most experts point to the connection with the nerves that are found in the brain and in the spinal cord. It seems that problems arise in the transmission of messages from the brain to the muscles through these nerve fibers. Examples of the messages that are transmitted are actions that prompt the intestine to contract or relax. Another possibility is the role that sensory nerve fibers.

Curing IBS

Because the problem is largely functional and structural, there is actually no cure for the problem. The best that the physician can do for those suffering from IBS is to alleviate the symptoms of the problem. Doctors may prescribe the intake of food that are high in fiber or drinking antispasmodic drugs that can relieve constipation.

Factors influencing motility of the colon, among others, food, medicines, emotional problems, stress, nervousness, anxiety and depression are all considered possible IBS Symptoms.

With regard to dietary treatment we must take into account the time involved in this extended illness, to reduce symptoms and improve the general condition.

When you are in stage of diarrhoea, besides the pain, there is loss of water, electrolytes and nutrients, making it extremely important to control these IBS Symptoms. Suppress the intake of dairy and meat, while a good IBS Diet factor is egg white for hard to make proteins.

As part of an IBS Diet cut down on fatty acids, and use only small amounts of corn oil, also cut down on carbohydrates, eat only rice, corn flour, meal, semolina noodles, cookies, dry bread to improve IBS Symptoms.

Increased consumption of vegetable broths, with salt, water, fruit, wines, is fine for an IBS Diet. Fruits and vegetables, such as, apple peeled, cooked or grated, banana, carrot, pumpkin, are all good for IBS Symptoms.

Reduced lactose with lean white cheese, fresh mozzarella, ricotta cheese, yogurt, in small amounts, according to tolerance are reasonably well tolerated in relation to IBS Symptoms.

In an IBS Diet you should begin to incorporate first white meat, such as chicken, fish, then the later on red meat, cooked vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peeled or cooked fruit, peeled and raw fruit and then when fully normalize bowel function has returned, well-washed raw, leafy vegetables, dried fruit, vegetables, whole grains, so as to slowly increase the input of fiber to reach the recommended daily levels to prevent constipation, an IBS Symptoms.

In case you are in the stage of constipation, an IBS Diet should include increased consumption of fruits like citrus, kiwi, plums, and not consume apple, banana or quince, as they are astringent. Consume much more wheat bran, leafy greens, beets, other vegetables to ease constipation IBS Symptoms.

Increase fiber intake by selecting according to the symptoms (pain, flatulence etc…).

Make a small amount of fatty acids included in each meal, such as cream, oil, cream cheese, etc. For dairy in your IBS Diet choose whole white cheeses and yogurt

Take in plenty of fluids, preferably cold water, juices and jellies.

General Recommendations for IBS Diet when IBS Symptoms occur include, outside of the stages mentioned above, food should be varied, and in smaller more regular meals (4 to 6 meals) to avoid them being very heavy, containing both types of fiber (soluble and insoluble) respecting the recommendations and providing adequate calories for each individual according to weight, age, activity and physiological status to ease IBS Symptoms.

Harmonize food intake (carbohydrates 50 to 60% Protein 10 to 20% and the rest of the calories supplied by fat with increase in polyunsaturated fats), choose lean meats and low fat dairy, avoiding extreme temperatures in the IBS Diet (very cold or very hot), use soft and aromatic seasonings, lower sugar and salt, drink water throughout the day, not soft drinks, coffee, or alcoholic beverages, if possible do not chew gum or smoke to avoid IBS Symptoms.