Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional bowel disease. It occurs with episodes of abdominal pain or discomfort. These episodes combine altered bowel movements – constipation and/or diarrhea. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common disease. Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are not fully understood. The factors for the occurrence of IBS are associated with bowel, nervous system and their interaction.
Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
Some of the most common IBS Symptoms are:
- Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
- Bloating and release of large amount of gas are common in IBS.
- Change in bowel habits – Constipation and/or diarrhea. Episodes of constipation and diarrhea can be rotated.
- In the feces may occur mucus
- Heartburn, nausea, vomiting, which occur more rarely.
Always consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. These symptoms occur in serious bowel diseases too. A number of other diseases may mimic irritable bowel syndrome – therefore, self-diagnosis is dangerous!
IBS Symptoms in different patients may be different. In most cases IBS is a chronic condition with periods of exacerbation and calm.
IBS diet
There is no one IBS diet that is suitable for all. A proper diet for IBS is very individualized. Some patients with irritable bowel syndrome, have IBS symptoms associated with the consumption of certain foods, while other patients have no symptoms when they eat the same foods. Patients should keep a food diary.
Irritating foods can vary from person to person. But in general, foods high in fats, spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeinated coffee can be problematic. Some foods, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beans, cabbage, onions can be foods that cause gas, bloating and abdominal pain in some IBS patients.
There many IBS diets. Some of the most common are:
- High-Fiber Diet
- Low FODMAP diet
- Low-Fiber Diet
- Gluten-Free Diet
- Elimination Diet
- Low-Fat Diet
Attention: Before following any IBS diet, consult your doctor.
IBS diagnosis
IBS diagnosis is based on the exclusion of other more serious diseases of the colon. Some of Diagnostic methods for the exclusion of serious bowel disease are:
- Conventional endoscopic colonoscopy
- CT Colonoscopy
- Microbiological examination of faeces
- Test for food intolerance
- Blood tests to exclude gluten intolerance (celiac disease)
- Intestinal biopsy
- Test for lactose intolerance, etc.
Depending on the predominant bowel pattern, irritable colon (IBS) can be divided into the following groups:
- IBS with constipation – IBS-C
- IBS with diarrhea – IBS-D
- IBS with alternating constipation-diarrhea – a mixed model – IBS-A
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