Irritable bowel syndrome should be considered a serious condition, and unfortunately many providers minimize it. Although people do not become terminally ill from IBS, it still significantly interferes with daily life when one considers missed work / school or just not feeling well. Up to 15% of the population may be affected by IBS, and symptoms can become quite distracting and embarrassing. One study suggests we may spend as much as $30 billion for direct and indirect costs associated with IBS. Unfortunately, IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion (meaning, physicians must rule out other causes first), is a chronic condition, and can be very challenging to treat. Educating yourself about IBS—understanding what it is as well as what it isn’t—is often the first step in effective treatment. Modifying your diet and avoiding trigger foods is also important.
IBS Complications
It is not unusual to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in addition to other gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as reflux, Barrett's esophagus, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Irregular bowels, gas and bloating may also lead to disrupted sleep.
Recently Answered
-
3 AnswersA
Dr. Marc B. Sonenshine, MD , Gastroenterology, answered on behalf of Atlanta Gastroenterology AssociatesSee All 3 Answers -
1 AnswerA
HealthyWomen answeredIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is indeed irritable, often causing a great deal of discomfort and distress. But the good news is that the syndrome does not cause permanent harm to the intestines, doesn't lead to intestinal bleeding and doesn't cause cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis). Moreover, if you have IBS, you may not have symptoms all the time. Some people can go for weeks or months without any symptoms. Others may experience them daily. IBS is often chronic. However, when followed for several years, about a third of people no longer have IBS.
This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org. -
2 AnswersA
See All 2 AnswersIt's not known exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm as they move food from your stomach through your intestinal tract to your rectum. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal. Food is forced through your intestines more quickly, causing gas, bloating and diarrhea. In some cases, the opposite occurs. Food passage slows, and stools become hard and dry.
Abnormalities in your nervous system or colon also may play a role, causing you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your intestinal wall stretches from gas. There are a number of other factors that may play a role in IBS. For example, people with IBS may have abnormal serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that's normally associated with brain function, but it also plays a role in normal digestive system function. It's also possible that people with IBS don't have the right balance of good bacteria in the intestine. -
2 AnswersA
See All 2 AnswersMental health and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been shown to be associated. People with IBS are more likely to have anxiety, depression and phobias. Psychosocial factors are an independent risk factor for developing IBS as well. It is unclear if there is a causal relationship, however, it is clear that often times IBS and mental health problems go hand in hand.
-
1 AnswerA
West Valley Medical Center answeredA theory of why irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes fatigue has to do with low levels of serotonin in these people.
-
2 AnswersA
See All 2 AnswersIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects the colon and intestines primarily. The bladder is not directly affected. Many people do report symptoms involving the bladder, which are however similar to those of an infection, including pressure, pain and frequent urination. It is important to have these symptoms evaluated if they do occur. The mechanism by which IBS causes these symptom is currently unknown.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. William B. Salt, MD , Gastroenterology, answeredIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, which are related to the colon, include abdominal pain or discomfort associated with disturbance of bowel function -- diarrhea, constipation or alternation between diarrhea and constipation.
If you have experienced abdominal discomfort or pain for at least 12 weeks (not necessarily consecutive weeks) in the last year, and if your discomfort or pain is accompanied by two or more of the following features, then you may have IBS:
- Your pain or discomfort is relieved after you have a bowel movement
- When your pain starts, you have a change in your usual number of bowel movements (either more or fewer)
- When your pain or discomfort starts, you have either softer or harder stools than usual
- Abnormal bowel frequency (more than three per day or less than three per week)
- Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool)
- Abnormal stool passage, such as straining, urgency or the feeling that you have not completely emptied your rectum after a bowel movement
- Passage of mucus in or on the stool
- Abdominal bloating, distention or swelling