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Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - What is IBS and What Can You Do?


Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the term used by doctors to describe a discomfort of the bowels and gut. Generally, its symptoms include stomach cramps and/or longer bouts of abdominal pain, sometimes severe, and chronic diarrhea alternating with constipation. A person may suffer from both, or one may be prevalent. They may experience nausea, bloating and gas. There may also be an urgent need to move the bowels, yet an inability to pass anything, allied to a feeling of fullness in the rectum, as if stools are *pushing down* constantly.


No-one has yet found one single cause for IBS and many sufferers can live with it for years without it being diagnosed. Diet can sometimes play a part, and certain foods trigger an attack. At other times, long-term stress, anxiety, depression, or panic attacks are a major factor.


It should be stressed that people suffering prolonged stomach problems should see their doctor, rather than self-diagnose and self-medicate, since there may be other causes such as diverticulitis and Crohns Disease.
However, IBS has become increasingly common since I myself was diagnosed over fifteen years ago.


The stomach pain and changes in bowel habits can be extremely worrying. I have undergone such chronic pain that I have not known where to put myself, and had to writhe in pain with a hot bottle on my stomach and take painkillers. I have also experience rectal bleeding, and that of course can be frightening. However, after examination it was shown to be a tear to the muscle of the anus, due to both severe diarrhea and other times, the passing of hard stools.


The treatment for IBS suggested by a doctor seems to be focused on controlling the symptoms rather than curing it, and many people will have tried almost every remedy in an effort to alleviate IBS.


Anti-spasmodic medications are commonly prescribed, Mebeverine Hydrochloride, often sold as Colofac IBS is said to help to relax the intense cramping of the intestines. The intestines squeeze rhythmically as part of the digestive process, whereby food is passed through the gut. With IBS that squeezing action becomes an acute spasm, or clenching, thus causing sometimes severe pain. Anti spasmodics are said to address this, but it is something which has to be taken regularly, not as and when, to have any real affect.


Some people take anti-diarrhearal medications, such as Imodium, or, Pepto Bismol, this garish pink liquid has always proved the most effective for me, as I suffer very bad nausea and trapped wind. However, it is not suitable for people allergic to aspirin and the label must be read before trying it.
Nausea is also treated by prescribed medications such as Metoclopramide, although the side effects to that can include stomach cramps and diarrhea.
Ginger tablets, or ginger tea can also be very effective against nausea.
Some people recommend an acidophilus supplement which encourages a healthy balance in the flora present in the gut.


The pain of an IBS attack may require painkillers, either prescribed or bought over the counter. A three-pronged approach for me has always been codeine and paracetamol tablets (although codeine can bind up the bowels) a hot pad and Pepto Bismol. I have found no other way that has as yet worked.


For constipation sufferers, an intake of fiber is suggested, although there are certain fibers, such as those in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower) which can exacerbate stomach cramps and gas. Some people prefer to take a soluble fiber in water, (Fybogel for example) which is becoming more popular and is easy to take.
Drinking at least two to three liters of water is also a cheap and effective way of softening the stools when one is constipated. For people who are almost continuously constipated, the advice of a doctor or pharmacist should be sought, since some remedies may be too ‘harsh’ to be taken long term, and a gentler medication or solution is likely to be suggested.


Because certain foods can trigger IBS, it is important that we remember what we have been eating preceding an attack. Cutting out such trigger foods can help us avoid another episode. IBS caused by stress or anxiety is another matter entirely, since it is impossible to avoid it. There are many natural remedies that are gentle and can be bought over the counter to aid in stress, tablets containing the herb Valerian are popular, as is Bach Rescue Remedy. Doctors may prescribe medication to control stress, panic or address depression, so it is worth perhaps approaching stress-related IBS from the direction of the stress itself as well as the stomach.


It is important to realize that IBS is different for every single individual sufferer, and that each treatment will differ in its effectiveness. It can take a long time to find out which remedies and treatments best suit each person.


Article by:
Sian, Founder of IBS Tales
Ibstales.com


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