Do You Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Or Celiac Disease?
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a functional disorder, which means the bowel or large intestine doesn’t function or perform correctly. It is not a disease of the bowels Overlap Syndrome , nor can it lead to any more serious bowel disease such as inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.
It is called a syndrome, as it is a collection of different symptoms. There is no known cause of the syndrome, but it is related to abnormal spasm or contraction of the muscles in the large intestine, where stool is produced. For this reason it used to be known as Spastic Colon.
Although no cause is known certain factors do make it worse, for example stress seems to exacerbate symptoms, as does smoking and certain foods like caffeine, citrus, dairy and certain medications. Because it is a functional disease there is no specific diagnostic test.
There is however standard called the Rome III Criteria which differentiates IBS from any other disorder.
• Can only be diagnosed if present for at least 6 months
• Recurrent abdominal pain related to change in frequency of bowel movement.
• Pain is relieved by a bowel movement
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS):
• Alternating constipation and diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Flatulence
• Bloating especially after meals.
• Possible mucous in the stool
• A feeling of an incomplete bowel evacuation
• Abdominal pain relieved by a bowel movement
Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndome (IBS):
There is no known cure of IBS. There is only the symptomatic treatment and prevention of the illness. Medications like antispasmodics relieve cramps and pain. Trying to relieve stress can help the emotional aspect.
The biggest effect on IBS is diet. Cutting out some of the triggers such as
• Sugar
• Wheat
• Coffee