(Also Called 'IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)', 'Irritable Colon', 'Mixed Irritable Bowel Syndrome', 'Nervous Stomach', 'Spastic Colon')
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) goes by many names.
Some people call this condition "nervous stomach." Others call it "irritable
bowel," "irritable colon," or "spastic colon." The condition most often occurs
in people in their late teens to early forties. Women suffer from IBS more often
than men, and it might affect more than one family member.
What is IBS?
IBS is a common though uncomfortable disorder of the colon or lower bowel.
While the basic cause of IBS is unknown, researchers have found that the colon
muscle in people with IBS contracts more readily than in people without IBS. A
number of factors can "trigger" IBS, including certain foods, medicines, and
emotional stress. Some research has suggested that excess bacteria in the GI
tract may contribute to symptoms.
The good news is that IBS is not a life-threatening
condition. IBS does not make a person more likely to develop other colon
conditions, such as colitis, Crohn's disease, or colon cancer. Yet, IBS can be
frustrating because it can come and go throughout life.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Some people think of IBS as the gut's response to stress in the world. Symptoms include:
- Abdominal pains or cramps, usually in the lower half of the abdomen
- Excess gas
- Harder or looser bowel movements than usual
- Diarrhea, constipation, or an alternating pattern between the two
Because these symptoms can happen over and over, a
person with IBS can feel stressed or saddened by his or her condition. These
feelings often become less severe as the person gains control over IBS.
Who treats IBS?
If you are having symptoms and think you may have irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS), you should talk to your primary care physician or other health care
provider. Your doctor may treat you or may refer you to a gastroenterologist.
A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in
the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. These diseases
include, among others: IBS, colorectal cancer, liver disease, swallowing and
esophageal disorders, and pancreas disorders.
In some cases of IBS, the symptoms may not respond to
the medical treatment prescribed by the doctor. In these cases, the patient may
be referred for psychosocial therapies. Some patients may improve with
counseling and alternative treatments such as hypnosis and biofeedback.
How can my health care provider help?
Your health care provider can:
- Make sure there is no other cause for your symptoms
- Order blood tests or X-rays if needed
- Offer appropriate medicines
- Suggest dietary therapies
- Answer any questions you have about stress and other IBS triggers
- Advise you about calcium supplements, if needed
- Offer support as you gain control over IBS
How is IBS diagnosed?
When you see your doctor about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), he or she
will take your medical history and perform a physical examination. Depending on
your symptoms, your doctor may want to run certain tests in order to make a
diagnosis, including blood tests and stool samples. These tests are usually
normal, but they rule out other diseases which may mimic IBS.
Depending on the symptoms and other pertinent factors
in the medical history, your doctor may perform a procedure called flexible
sigmoidoscopy. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a routine outpatient procedure in which
the inside of the lower large intestine is examined.
Flexible sigmoidoscopies are commonly used to evaluate
bowel disorders, rectal bleeding, or polyps (benign growths). During the
procedure, a physician uses a sigmoidoscope (a long, flexible instrument about
1/2 inch in diameter) to view the lining of the rectum and lower portion of the
colon. The sigmoidoscope is inserted through the rectum and advanced to the descending colon.
Another option for examining the colon is a
colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is also an outpatient procedure, similar to a
sigmoidoscopy, in which the entire colon is examined with a colonoscope. If
necessary during a colonoscopy, small amounts of tissue can be removed for
analysis (biopsy) and polyps can be identified and removed. In many cases,
colonoscopy allows accurate diagnosis and treatment without the need for a major operation.
How can I gain control over IBS?
Nearly all people with IBS can be helped, but no one treatment works for
everyone. Usually, with a few basic changes in diet and activities, IBS will
improve over time. Here are some steps you can take to help you reduce symptoms of IBS:
- Avoid caffeine (found in coffee, teas, and sodas).
- Minimize lactose-containing foods. Lactose is the sugar found in milk products.
- Increase fiber in your diet (found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts).
- Drink three to four glasses of water per day.
- Don't smoke.
- Learn to relax, either by getting more exercise or by reducing stress in your life.
Try limiting how much milk you consume. (Women should
get 1,500 milligrams of calcium per day. If you have IBS and are concerned about
your calcium intake, you can try other sources of calcium. These sources include
broccoli, spinach, turnip greens, tofu, yogurt, sardines and salmon with bones,
calcium-fortified breads, calcium supplements, and some calcium carbonate antacid tablets).
Keep a record of foods you eat so you can figure out
which foods bring on bouts of IBS. Common food "triggers" of IBS are red
peppers, green onions, red wine, wheat, and milk.
You can also ask a nutritionist for samples of healthy diets to follow.
Where can I learn more?
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
1-800-891-5389
References
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Digestive Diseases A-Z List of Topics and Titles: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
digestive.niddk.nih.gov Accessed 1/4/11
American Academy of Family Physicians. FamilyDoctor.org: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips on Controlling Your Symptoms
familydoctor.org Accessed 1/4/11
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