What is Irrtitable Bowel Syndrome - IBS?
About 20% of Americans suffers from IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS,
is a disorder that affects mainly the large intestine. It is characterized
by a group of symptoms like abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping,
bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation, or both in alternation.
The location and intensity of those symptoms may vary, even in an
individual.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a disease. IBS is a functional disorder,
which means that there is no structural damage to the intestine;
however, its physiological function has been somehow disturbed.
This disturbance in the bowel function results in abnormal muscle
activity and hypersensitivity. For example, the muscles may contract
too much while eating, and these contractions can cause cramping
and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. Or the nerves can be
overly sensitive to the stretching of the intestine caused by natural
stimuli such as passage of gas and fluids through the intestine.
This may result in cramping or pain in the lower abdomen. In fact,
it has been proven that IBS patients do not produce more gas than
any other IBS-free person. However, the nerve endings of intestines
in IBS patients are unusually sensitive and unusually active and
respond abnormally to stimuli which would not trigger any symptoms
in a non-IBS population.
People suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome describe their symptoms
in various ways: the symptoms can be reported as cramps in the lower
abdomen, gas-like, dull or sharp pains, or simply nondescript aches.
The discomfort or pain in the abdomen is usually relieved after
a bowel movement and does not occur during sleep.
Some people suffering from IBS also report heartburn, nausea, early
feeling of fullness, or abdominal fullness. Some may also experience
the feeling of urgency or incomplete emptying.
About 20% of Americans suffers from IBS, which makes it one of
the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. It occurs more often
in women than in men, and it usually begins around age 20.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be the source of a great deal of discomfort
and distress, but it does not pose a threat to the patient’s
life, neither does it permanently harm the intestines. IBS does
not cause intestinal bleeding or serious diseases such as cancer.
Most people can control and reduce their symptoms with diet, stress
management, and medications prescribed by their physician. But for
some people, IBS can seriously compromise the quality of life. They
may be unable to work, participate in social events, or travel even
short distances.
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