Symptoms , Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment of Irritable Bowel

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms which commonly occur in IBS patients are : 

1. Relief from abdominal pain after stools.
2. Loose stools with the onset of pain. 
3. Frequent bowel movements with the onset of pain.
4. Abdominal bloating or distention.
5. Feeling of incomplete evacuation.
6. Passage of mucus along with stools. 

Other symptoms include nausea, feeling full after eating only a small meal, and fatigue. 

The severity and frequency of symptoms can vary. Abdominal pain or discomfort varies from intermittent abdominal discomfort to severe continuous abdominal pain. Diarrhoea, constipation, or alternation between the two may be the predominant bowel pattern. 
The symptoms of IBS differ from the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD) in that there is no trace of blood in the stool in the former, or history of fevers or chills.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Stress can affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It has an important role in precipitating the symptoms of IBS. Up to 60 per cent of IBS patients associate onset of the disease or its exacerbation with stressful life events. Significant life changes which demand social and personal adjustments such as moving to a new job or a new city also can precipitate or exacerbate IBS. Anxiety and depression are present I 40 to 60 per cent of IBS patients. 

Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Diagnosis is based on patient's complaints. If a patient has at least three months of continuous or recurrent symptoms of : 

1. Abdominal pain or discomfort that is : 

a. Relived with defecation; and/or
b. Associated with a change in the frequency of stool; and/or
c. Associated with a change in the consistency of stool; and 

2. Two or more of the following, at least on one-fourth of occasions or days:

a. Altered stool frequency;
b. Altered stool form ( e.g. watery/loose stools or hard stools);
c. Altered stool passage (e.g. sensations of incomplete 
evacuation after bowel movements, straining, or urgency);
d. Passage of mucus; and/or
e. Bloating or feeling of abdominal distention. 

To exclude other diseases which can produce similar symptoms, the following tests may be conducted:

1. Lower GI X-ray (barium enema)
2. Small bowel series X-ray(barium follow-through)
3. Sigmoidoscopy and/or colonoscopy

Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The treatment of IBS is based on the severity and the nature of each person's symptoms. The treatment options are: lifestyle changes, pharmacological treatment, and psychological treatment. 

Introduction of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Symptoms , Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lifestyle Changes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome