About IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that causes abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation. It is a chronic condition and most people have mild symptoms which can be managed through diet and lifestyle changes. However, you need to see a doctor and seek proper treatment if you are experiencing severe symptoms of IBS, such as rectal bleeding, weight loss, fever, vomiting and anaemia.

IBS can be categorized based on the type of bowel movement problems you have. The treatment you will have to undergo depends on the type of IBS, mentioned below:

• IBS with constipation (IBS-C): When your stool is hard and lumpy.
• IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D): When your stool is loose.
• IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): When you have both constipation and diarrhoea, which means hard and lumpy stools as well as loose and watery stools on the same day.

treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is by recommending changes in what you eat and other lifestyle changes, medicines, probiotics, and mental health therapies. You may have to try a few treatments to see what works best for you.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

IBS risk factors

Around 11% of the global population is affected by IBS. It is a significant health care issue and here are some factors that may increase your risk of IBS than others – 

• If you are a woman, you are twice more likely to have this condition. 
• IBS can affect people of all ages, especially the ones under 40.
• If you have a family history of IBS, you are more likely to suffer from it. 
• Stress is a major factor that increases your risk of IBS. If you have emotional trouble, a mental disorder or experienced trauma, sexual abuse or domestic violence.
• Certain food sensitivities may trigger symptoms of IBS. Some people may have digestive issues when consuming dairy products, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and alcohol can also be responsible for indigestion. 
• Medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants and drugs made with sorbitol have been linked with IBS.
• If you have stomach flu, traveller’s diarrhoea or food poisoning, you may have IBS symptoms.

IBS diagnosis and treatment

In the case of IBS, there are no specific lab tests to confirm the condition. It is actually a diagnosis of exclusion and its symptoms mimic many other conditions like food poisoning and gastritis. When you visit the doctor, he or she may ask you about your symptoms and match them with IBS symptoms and then run a few tests to rule out other conditions such as food allergies or intolerances, infection, enzyme deficiency, inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The tests that are done to decide if you have IBS may include colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, X-rays, blood tests, stool tests, tests for lactose intolerance, gluten allergy or celiac disease and tests to look for problems with your bowel muscles.

When it comes to IBS treatment, you must remember that there is no single treatment that works for everyone. You will need a customized plan to manage your symptoms including diet and lifestyle changes like avoiding caffeine, increasing fibre intake, drink at enough water, quitting smoking, limiting milk or cheese intake and most importantly exercising regularly to reduce stress. 

Your doctor may give you certain medications to help relieve symptoms of IBS, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, antispasmodics, probiotics and over-the-counter laxatives. Make sure to always take the medicine as recommended and be mindful as laxatives can be habit-forming.

Also Read: Foods to Avoid with IBS: A Comprehensive Dietary Guide Based on Research

IBS awareness month

April 19 is World IBS Day and the entire month of April has been officially designated as IBS Awareness Month. This was created to spread awareness about this health condition and help those who try to cope with it every day and live a normal life. Here are some of the facts about IBS you should know:

• IBS is the most common condition diagnosed by gastroenterologists. It is one of the most frequently seen conditions by PCPs.
• IBS affects both men and women of all ages and most individuals initially consult PCPs and the symptoms might indicate an underlying severe disease, such as cancer.
• Even though it is believed IBS affects 11% of the global population, the condition remains underdiagnosed.
• All people affected with IBS do not experience the same symptoms. People with the same subtype of IBS may also have different symptoms. 
• IBS can be very difficult to diagnose. A recent study showed that it took people around 6.6 years to receive a diagnosis after IBS symptoms began.

Despite the prevalence of IBS, many people continue to live with it. IBS can affect your ability to live your daily life and bring down your confidence. There is a social stigma around it, a lot of misinformation and a lack of effective tests and treatments which makes it hard to speak openly and honestly about life with IBS. If you or someone you know suffers from IBS, share information about IBS Awareness Month. Let us come together to bust the myths and educate people about IBS.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.