Irritable bowel syndrome is the problem that people encounter when they have problems in their bowel movement. About 15 percent of people in the United States are affected by this condition, characterized by the abnormal movement of bowels. IBS is also known by other names such as spastic colon, spastic colitis, and mucous colitis, which are all scientific and too technical terms for the layman to ever understand. In fact, the term irritable bowel syndrome is actually the most common of the terms being used for problems like this.
Symptoms of Ibs
Irritable bowel syndrome involves recurrent constipation, diarrhea and cramping in the abdomen. Some people who have ibs may also experience episodes of vomiting and nausea. Others will also experience dyspepsia and feelings of fullness because of problems in the digestion of food or in the transportation of food particles through the various parts of the digestive system.
Often, irritable bowel syndrome is correlated with stress. It seems that stressors can directly affect the functions of the abdomen, thereby causing IBS. Anxiety and panic attacks can also be a cause of Ibs.
Diagnosis as Last Resort
Diagnosing the presence of Ibs is only done when the possibility of problems in the various digestive and gastro-intestinal tracts have been ruled out. Examples of these problems are inflammatory bowel syndrome, presence of worms and other parasites in the intestine and sometimes even polyps.
When physicians are sure that nothing else is wrong in the digestive tract, ibs is then thought of. The reason why ibs is the last resort when diagnosing the problem is that it is mainly a functional problem and not something caused by developed disorders or parasites and bacteria. Most of the time, the problem lies in some parts of the gastro-intestinal tract, whether the muscles, the nerves that control the organs or even the organs themselves. When the problem is the nerves, further investigation is needed as the problem may lie inside the brain or in the spinal cord.
Another reason why ibs is diagnosed late is the fact that the problem cannot be seen through any specific microscopic test. Often, ibs is diagnosed only when there is not abnormality or problem that can be seen in tests.
Causes of IBS
As mentioned earlier, Ibs is believed to be the cause of an abnormality in the function of the digestive tract. Most experts point to the connection with the nerves that are found in the brain and in the spinal cord. It seems that problems arise in the transmission of messages from the brain to the muscles through these nerve fibers. Examples of the messages that are transmitted are actions that prompt the intestine to contract or relax. Another possibility is the role that sensory nerve fibers.
Curing IBS
Because the problem is largely functional and structural, there is actually no cure for the problem. The best that the physician can do for those suffering from IBS is to alleviate the symptoms of the problem. Doctors may prescribe the intake of food that are high in fiber or drinking antispasmodic drugs that can relieve constipation.
