More likely to affect women than men and most common in patients ages 30-50, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder in which the colon is extremely sensitive and is disorder which is characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It is believed that IBS may affect approximately 1 in 10 adults or more than 5 million Americans.

Irritable bowel syndrome is often referred to as a nervous stomach, spastic colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis, or even an irritable colon.

This malady is a complex motility disorder impacting the entire digestive tract and is one of the most common conditions treated by gastroenterologist today. IBS causes a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or even a combination of both. It is often a distressing and embarrassing condition and one of great frustration since its precise cause and best treatment have yet to be determined.

It is important to seek early treatment if you suspect you have irritable bowel syndrome since the symptoms of this condition often mimic the symptoms of many other medical conditions.

After your physician has confirmed a diagnosis of IBS, you will work together to structure the best treatment options for you. The primary goal for any treatment plan is to simply reduce symptom and to restore normal bowel function.

Treatment options can vary from simply avoid certain trigger foods which produce symptoms, acupuncture, herbal therapies or even prescription medications. One such medication is Zelnorm® is a serotonin 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist and is used short-term for women who have irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

It is important to remember that no one treatment for IBS works for everyone and there is no single treatment for coping with irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the colon characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea or even a combination of both diarrhea and constipation. Although it may be troublesome, frustrating and at times embarrassing, IBS is not contagious, inherited, or even cancerous.

Seeking help from your physician is important to maintaining a happy, healthy and active lifestyle.