| True to its name, Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is | | | | activity in the colon muscle. IBS is not confined to |
| a disorder of the bowel. Some of its common | | | | colon unlike many other inflammatory diseases like |
| symptoms include stomach pain, mucus in stool, lower | | | | colitis. In some cases, IBS could start suddenly in |
| abdominal cramps, inability to control the bowel | | | | individuals (Rome II criteria positive), which is much |
| movement, gas and alternate bouts of constipation | | | | more homogenous; or after infectious diseases like |
| and diarrhea. It is prevalent in all age groups from | | | | fever, acute diarrhea or positive stool culture |
| children to adolescents and adults. The symptoms | | | | ("post-infectious IBS). |
| might disappear suddenly or could reappear at any | | | | Even today, the exact causes of Irritable bowel |
| time in an individual's lifespan. Though IBS can result in | | | | syndrome remain obscure. However the common risk |
| great distress and inconvenience it is not life | | | | factors thought to trigger IBS include poor diet, |
| threatening like cancer or it causes any permanent | | | | stress and hormonal changes. Eating gas forming |
| damage to the stomach or intestines. | | | | food items might aggravate the condition in persons |
| It is estimated that one out of 10 people, seeking | | | | already suffering from IBS. In some cases bouts of |
| medical aid, suffer from this condition. Many fail to | | | | infectious diarrhea might result in IBS. Probability of a |
| show up any serious symptoms and it is rather a | | | | genetic cause is also not ruled out as in many cases, |
| common ailment that accounts for 20-25% visits to | | | | IBS involves all members of a family. |
| gastroenterologists. The most prevailing symptoms | | | | Treatment normally involves |
| include lower abdominal cramps and swelling. In many | | | | For people suffering from constipation, fiber |
| cases these discomforts disappear with defecation. | | | | supplements or laxatives are useful; while those |
| IBS is more common in women than men. IBS should | | | | suffering from diarrhea are found to be benefited |
| not be confused with other inflammatory bowel | | | | from Anti-diarrheal medicines like Lomotil or |
| diseases such as ulcerative colitis, which causes | | | | loperamide. Codeine, though effective in controlling |
| inflammation of the large intestine. IBS, however, | | | | diarrhea could be addictive. |
| does not result in colon inflammation and is not as | | | | While antidepressants might ease some symptoms, |
| serious as colitis. | | | | antispasmodics are useful in managing colon muscle |
| Increasing the fiber intake and cutting down on | | | | spasms and stomach pain. Many alternative therapies |
| caffeine is found to be useful in some. IBS is | | | | like acupuncture and homeopathy are also quite |
| considered a syndrome as it involves multiple | | | | popular in the management of IBS. Though many |
| symptoms. A balanced diet coupled with adequate | | | | people resort to acupuncture, no scientific proof is |
| medications and stress management could bring relief | | | | available to testify its efficacy. |
| to many; However, IBS can put many people out of | | | | When everything else fails, anti depressants in |
| action as they face difficulty in walking or traveling. | | | | extremely small doses are also employed as a last |
| The contraction of intestinal muscles to bring about | | | | resort. It works by imitating the nervous system to |
| the movement of its contents is normally affected | | | | the bowel. |
| by hormones coupled with nerve and electrical | | | | |