Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, long-term digestive condition. Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation are all possible symptoms. Although the symptoms may change over time, the condition is often lifelong. You can successfully manage IBS with the right strategies.
IBS does not put your physical health at risk and does not make you more likely to get cancer or other bowel diseases. IBS's exact cause is unknown. Many causes have been proposed, but none have been proven to cause IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Introduction
Many people suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a digestive tract disorder. There are both loose and hard stools and stomach cramps and swelling. These occur intermittently and can endure for several days to several months.
It significantly impacts daily life and can be very frustrating to deal with. This is something that may persist throughout one's entire life. There is no cure yet, but many people find that changing their diet and taking medicine help ease their symptoms.
Even though the exact cause of IBS is still unknown, several things have been linked to the condition. Causes of irritable bowel syndrome include: food moving too rapidly or too slowly through your digestive system, gut nerves that are overly sensitive to stress, and a family history of the disorder.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are the hallmarks of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Cramping or pain in the abdomen, which is aggravated by eating and relieved by defecating.
- Stomach distention and disquieting fullness
- When you have diarrhea, you may have loose stools and a strong need to go to the bathroom. When you have constipation, you might strain and feel like you can't get your bowels to move.
Your symptoms may improve on some days and worsen on others (flare-ups). Consumption of certain substances could set them off.
What Triggers Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS flare-ups can occur for no apparent reason. Sometimes they have a trigger, such as:
- Anxiety and stress
- Alcohol
- Certain foods, for example, spicy or fatty foods
- Caffeine
Other IBS Symptoms
Other IBS symptoms may include:
- farting (flatulence) (flatulence)
- passing mucus from your lower abdomen
- fatigue and a lack of energy
- feeling ill (nausea)
- backache
- Needing to pee frequently, having sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you can't fully empty your bladder because you can't always control when you poo (incontinence)
See Your GP
- You believe you're experiencing IBS-like symptoms, and they'll do their best to figure out why
- You're going through an emotional upheaval, like anxiety or depression, because this can aggravate your IBS symptoms.
See Your GP Instantly
You also have the following symptoms:
- A change in your bowel habits that has lasted longer than six weeks, particularly if you are over the age of 50
- Mystifying for weight loss
- A lump or swelling in your stomach or back passage
- Your back passage is bleeding
- These can occasionally be symptoms of a more serious condition.
Tell your doctor about these symptoms and a family history of bowel or ovarian cancer.