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This is an article given to me by my family doctor at a local clinic. Everything here is taken right off the sheet.

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Irritable Bowel Sydrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a painful chronic gastrointestinal condition estimated to affect 15 - 20% of the general population in Western countries.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome may begin at any age, but many individuals seek medical attention for their symptos before the age of 35.


What are the common symptoms of IBS?
1) Abdominal pain is the most common symptom. It usually begins in the lower abdomen. Typically, the pain is relieved by passing gas or a bowel movement.

2) Abdominal distention and bloating.

3) Altered bowel habits; which may include diarrhea (increased frequency), or small, hard stools, as well as straining, urgency, and passing of mcus. Rarely is blood passed.


What are some other symptoms associated with IBS?
Loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, belching. Irritable Bowel recurs each time stress or strain appears, and may last for a number of days, weeks, or months according to the pattern for that person. Pain is inconsistent and irregular.


How can the doctor be sure I have IBS?
If you have symptoms of abdominal pain, constipatio, diarrhea, gas and distention, with small muscus-covered stools, which may be triggered by stress, strain and conflict, your doctor may suspect that you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He/she can then rule out other conditions by special x-ray examination and other tests that they feel are necessary.


Will it get worse?
The problem may not go away. Most people with IBS feel better sometimes and worse at other times.


Can I do anything to feel better?
There are a number of things that you can do to feel better.

1) Try to eat regularly. Whenever possible, eat in quiet surroundings and do not rush your meals.

2) If you are particularly troubled by intestinal gas, the doctor may suggest that you [i[avoid foods that tend to produce gas.

3) Cut down on the fat in your diet. This may mean eating less red meat and staying away from fried foods. Fat can make your bowels contract soon after eating.

4) Cut down on caffeine in your diet, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Avoid alcohol.

5) If you are limiting your use of sugar, upi should know that sorbitol, a sweetener used in diabetic foods, drinks, candy and chewing gum, can cause diarrhea.

6) Cut down on your use of antacids containing magnesium. They can cause diarrhea.

7) Eat more high-fibre foods. Fibre can help prevent constipation. Fibre from fresh fruits, vegetables and grains is also important for overall well-being. A healthy diet should contain 5 - 10 servings per day of vegetables and fruit, and 5 - 12 servings of bread, cereal, rice or pasta each day. Approximately 25% of patients may have their symptoms made worse by adding dietary fibre, so consult your physician (doctor).

8 ) If your doctor says you need to get extra fibre from bran, psyllium or another source, follow their directions carefully. (1 tablespoon of bran a day, gradually increased to 3 tablespoons a day with meals, or add psyllium, 5 - 20 grams a day.)

9) Increase your intake of fluids.

10) Do not take laxatives. Taking laxatives whenever you get constipated is a terrible trap to get into; it can make diarrhea worse, or you may have to depend on laxatives to have any bowel movement at all.

11) Deal with stress. You may have noticed that your bowel problems are worse when you are under stress at home or at work. Ask your doctor about ways of reducing and dealing with stress.


What about medicines to relieve your IBS?
For most patients, Irritable Bowel Syndrome will be relieved with dietary changes, stress reduction, lifestyle modification and education.

For some patients, medications may be necessary to help patients maintain their daily activities:

1) There are anti-spasmatic medications that may reduce pain.

2) There are also anti-diarrheal medications that may be used to reduce the urgency and frequency of bowel movements.

3) Sometimes medication may be prescribed to help patients with anxiety or stress.

Medication alone is not the answer and must be taken only under the direction of your doctor. Improvement almost always requies a combination of treatments.


In summary: Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be relieved through understnading the factors that contribute to symptoms, and being willing to adjust certain factors to alleviate symptoms.