Darrick Robles Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disease associated with abdominal pain and impaired gastrointestinal function. Various structural, molecular, genetic, immunological, nervous and psychosocial changes can lead to irritable bowel syndrome. Affected people often complain about changing stool behavior (diarrhea and/or constipation). The disease is more common in young people, especially women. Treatment is limited to symptom relief and avoidance of trigger factors.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a complex of symptoms with long-lasting, recurring stomach and intestinal problems without detectable intestinal damage that can lead to these symptoms.
There are three main types:
- Irritable bowel with diarrhea
- Irritable bowel with constipation (constipation)
- Mixed-type irritable bowel syndrome (both diarrhea and constipation may alternate)
Irritable bowel symptoms
Symptoms of irritable bowel may include:
- stomach pain
- Feeling of fullness after meals
- gas
- Diarrhea
- constipation
- incomplete emptying of the bowel, etc
Causes of Irritable Bowel
Experts describe genetic, hormonal, bacterial, psychological and neuroimmunological factors as well as disorders of the intestinal barrier function that can promote irritable bowel syndrome.
Disturbed bowel movement and hypersensitivity of the bowel to certain foods or bowel contents can explain the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
The nervous system plays an important role in the regulation of human intestinal movement. When the connection between the nervous system and the gut is disrupted due to genetic, microbial or even psychological changes (e.g. stress, depression), irregular and impaired gut function can result. This in turn becomes noticeable in the form of abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation in the individuals.
duration of the complaints
Irritable bowel is a lifelong recurring disease that shows different manifestations in those affected and is interrupted by symptom-free intervals.
How can a doctor diagnose irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome has so far only been a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that the doctor should rule out other organic diseases that can explain the symptoms before making the diagnosis “irritable bowel syndrome”. Diagnostic measures include: blood and stool tests, detailed medical history (e.g. frequency and duration of bowel problems), physical examination and, in some cases, a gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy.
When do I have to go to the doctor
If you have a persistent change in bowel movements or experience other symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, bloating) that may indicate irritable bowel syndrome, you should contact a doctor.
Home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome
A change in lifestyle with more exercise (at least 20 minutes 3 to 5 times a week) and observing regular bedtimes with sufficient sleep duration (8 hours per night) leads to stress reduction and calms the body (and thus the intestines).
Certain foods such as Caffeinated beverages, for example, can stimulate the intestines and make the symptoms worse. Therefore you should avoid these. A high-fiber diet (especially psyllium) and a lactose- or gluten-free diet can improve the course of the disease in some cases.
Drug treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Drug therapy can only be recommended to a limited extent. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, medications for constipation (eg, laxatives), diarrhea (inhibiting increased bowel movement), or pain may be given.
Probiotics (drugs with microorganisms such as bacteria that are beneficial to the intestinal flora) can be used in selected situations and after consultation with the doctor.
This is how Med-Healths can help with irritable bowel syndrome
Do you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Are there other medical conditions that can explain your symptoms? Which treatment options are suitable for you? What preventive measures can you take? should you take certain medications to treat your symptoms? These questions and others can be discussed with a doctor through the Med-Healths video consultation.
If necessary, the doctor can issue you a referral to see a gastroenterologist.
