Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Overview
Learn About Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to pain in abdomen and changes in bowel movements.
IBS is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
IBS; Irritable bowel; Spastic colon; Irritable colon; Mucous colitis; Spastic colitis; Abdominal pain - IBS; Diarrhea - IBS; Constipation - IBS; IBS-C; IBS-D
The reasons why IBS develops are not clear. It can occur after a bacterial infection or a parasitic infection (giardiasis) of the intestines. This is called postinfectious IBS. There may also be other triggers, including stress.
The intestine is connected to the brain by hormone and nerve signals that go back and forth between the bowel and the brain. These signals affect bowel function and symptoms. The nerves can become more active during stress. This can cause the intestines to be more sensitive and contract more.
IBS can occur at any age. Often, it begins in the teen years or early adulthood. It is twice as common in women as in men.
It is less likely to begin in people above 50 years of age.
About 10% to 15% of people in the United States have symptoms of IBS. It is the most common intestinal problem that causes people to be referred to a bowel specialist (gastroenterologist).
IBS symptoms vary from person to person, and range from mild to severe. Most people have mild symptoms. You are said to have IBS when symptoms are present for at least 3 days a month for a period of 3 months or more.
The main symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Gas
- Fullness
- Bloating
- Change in bowel habits. You can have either diarrhea (IBS-D), or constipation (IBS-C).
Pain and other symptoms will often be reduced or go away after a bowel movement. Symptoms may flare up when there is a change in the frequency of your bowel movements.
People with IBS may go back and forth between having constipation and diarrhea or have or mostly have one or the other.
- If you have IBS with diarrhea, you will have frequent, loose, watery stools. You may have an urgent need to have a bowel movement, which may be hard to control.
- If you have IBS with constipation, you will have a hard time passing stool, as well as fewer bowel movements. You may need to strain with a bowel movement and have cramps. Often, only a small amount or no stool at all will pass.
The symptoms may get worse for a few weeks or a month, and then decrease for a while. In other cases, symptoms are present most of the time.
You may also lose your appetite if you have IBS. However, blood in stools and unintentional weight loss are not a part of IBS.
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.
In some cases of IBS, lifestyle changes can help. For example, regular exercise and improved sleep habits may reduce anxiety and help relieve bowel symptoms.
Dietary changes can be helpful. However, no specific diet can be recommended for IBS because the condition differs from one person to another.
The following changes may help:
- Avoiding foods and drinks that stimulate the intestines (such as caffeine-containing drinks, tea, or colas)
- Eating smaller meals
- Increasing fiber in the diet (this may improve constipation or diarrhea, but make bloating worse)
Talk with your provider before taking over-the-counter medicines.
No one medicine works for everyone. Some that your provider may suggest include:
- Anticholinergic medicines (dicyclomine, propantheline, belladonna, and hyoscyamine) taken about a half-hour before eating to control intestinal muscle spasms
- Loperamide to treat IBS-D
- Alosetron (Lotronex) for IBS-D
- Eluxadoline (Viberzi) for IBS-D
- Probiotics
- Low doses of tricyclic antidepressants to help relieve intestinal pain
- Lubiprostone (Amitiza) for IBS-C
- Bisacodyl to treat IBS-C
- Rifaximin, an antibiotic
- Linaclotide (Linzess) for IBS-C
Psychological therapy or medicines for anxiety or depression may help with the problem.
Medstar Medical Group Ii LLC
Nikiya Asamoah-Clark is a Gastroenterologist in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Asamoah-Clark and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Her top areas of expertise are Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Hemorrhagic Proctocolitis, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.
Ramin Farboudmanesch is a Gastroenterologist in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Farboudmanesch and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). His top areas of expertise are Diverticular Disease, Gas Bloat Syndrome, Hemorrhoids, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.
Michael Weinstein is a Gastroenterologist in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Dr. Weinstein and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). His top areas of expertise are Gastric Dysmotility, Lactose Intolerance, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Weinstein is currently accepting new patients.
IBS may be a life-long condition. For some people, symptoms are disabling and interfere with work, travel, and social activities.
Symptoms often get better with treatment.
IBS does not cause permanent harm to the intestines. Also, it does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of IBS or if you notice changes in your bowel habits that do not go away.
Summary: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition affecting about 4% of people worldwide and can significantly impact quality of life and healthcare costs. While there are medications available, few are consistently effective, leading many people with IBS to explore alternative treatments, including naturopathy. However, research on naturopathic approaches to IBS is limited. This study aims to ...
Summary: The purpose of this research study is to assess whether morning bright light therapy (BLT) using a wearable device called a Re-Timer could potentially improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms and decrease intestinal permeability (leaky gut). Morning bright light therapy will be administrated through a safe-wearable glasses device called a Re-Timer. The Re-Timer glasses are lightweight and d...
Published Date: May 02, 2023
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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