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He is one of the best gastroenterology doctors I have ever visited. Took my uncle for stomach pain, the doctor did endoscopy & colonoscopy, diagnosed the problem as large intestine cancer, the doctor asked a...
Uma V
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The doctor is extremely professional and polite. He explains the problem patiently and does not prescribe unnecessary medication. He gives priority to the patient's well-being over everything. I Will definitely recommend him
Chandrasekhar Sriramula
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I have referred/recommended a couple of my relatives and friends to this Dr (Dr. Srujan Kumar Dasyam). I say that the diagnosis and treatment are good and also Dr listens patiently in understanding the patient's...
Apoorva Reddy Panyala
Table Of Contents
- What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- What are the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- How to Diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- What are the Complications of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- What is the Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the large intestine. It is a chronic condition that does not cause any changes in the tissue lining of the intestine and can be controlled by medication. IBS is a pervasive disorder that generally affects 3 out of 10 people.
What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS has an etiology that is unknown. The following elements are likely to play a role:
- Severe infection: IBS might develop after a severe attack of diarrhoea. It can also be linked to an overabundance of microbes in the intestine.
- Childhood stress: People who have faced pressure in early childhood tend to develop IBS.
- Muscular contractions in the intestine: To help move food through the digestive tract, the intestine undergoes contractions. Weak intestinal contractions might cause food passage to be slowed, resulting in firm, dry stools. On the other hand, strong intestinal contractions result in gas, bloating, and diarrhoea.
- Poorly coordinated signals: Due to a lack of coordination between the brain and the intestines, the body may overreact to changes in the digestive process, causing diarrhoea or constipation.
Along with the above causes, certain types of food trigger irritable bowel syndrome. They differ from individual to individual, but generally, these are the ones:
- wheat,
- Gluten products,
- dairy products,
- citrus fruits, beans, cabbage,
- milk and carbonated drinks,
- artificial sweeteners,
- caffeine,
- fatty food.
What are the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- Abdominal cramps related to passing a bowel movement
- A change in the bowel motion frequency
- Changes in the appearance of bowel motion
- Unexplained nausea and vomiting
- Persistent pain in the abdomen
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Diarrhoea that wakes up from sleep
How to Diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
For the proper diagnosis of this condition, it is imperative to know the timeline of symptoms. If the symptoms have been there for six months or at least once a week in the last three months, it is essential to undergo a proper diagnosis for IBS. Lab tests include:
- Blood test: to check for conditions other than IBS, including infection, anaemia and digestive diseases
- Stool test: to see whether there’s any blood in the stool or any other indicators of infection or sickness
- Colonoscopy: to eliminate the possibility of colon cancer, if any. Also, to look out for any obstruction, if present in the colon
- Hydrogen breath test: to check for lactose intolerance.
What are the Complications of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- Haemorrhoids can result from chronic constipation or diarrhoea.
- Compromised Mental health, chronic IBS can result in mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and migraine
What is the Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Mild signs and symptoms are controllable with lifestyle and dietary changes.
It can be helped by:
- Avoiding foods that trigger symptoms:
1. High gas foods
2. Gluten
3. carbohydrates - Eating high-fibre foods
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Exercising regularly
- Getting enough sleep
Sometimes, along with dietary changes, medications are also prescribed:
- Colon relaxing medications to slow down the motion of waste through the colon in case of diarrhoea
- Antibiotics to check the overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine
- Laxatives and fibre supplements to help with constipation
- Anticholinergic medications to help with bouts of bowel spasms
- Medications to relieve pain
