What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common digestive disorder that causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. It affects millions of people worldwide. The symptoms of IBS are often worse during holidays, after meals and when traveling.

Many people who have irritable bowel syndrome don’t realize they have it because they don’t know anyone else who has it. They may also think their symptoms are caused by something else such as diet or stress.

But once diagnosed with IBS, you can learn more about your condition and start treatment to ease your symptoms so you can get back to living life without worrying about your stomach hurting all the time.

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What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating.

Diarrhea and constipation are one of the most common symptoms. (Image via Pexels / Polina Zimmerman)

There are two main types of IBS: diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS) and constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS). Each type has its own set of symptoms and treatments, but both can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications or surgery if necessary.

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How To Know If You Have IBS?

There are several symptoms of IBS, including:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea or constipation (or both)
• Urgency to go to the bathroom (this could be diarrhea or constipation)
• Nausea, which may lead to vomiting

IBS can also cause bloating. (Image via Unsplash / Yuris Alhumaydy)

If you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks and they're not caused by an underlying condition like food poisoning or a virus, it's possible that you have IBS. You should also see your doctor if your symptoms get worse over time or if there are any other accompanying health problems like weight loss or blood in your stool.

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Causes and Triggers of IBS

Stress and certain foods can be IBS triggers. (Image via Unsplash / Christian Erfurt)

• Stress, anxiety and depression. Stress can contribute to IBS by causing you to tense up and feel stressed out. These feelings can lead to abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS.
• Food allergies/intolerances. Many people who suffer from IBS also have food allergies or intolerances that cause them discomfort when they eat certain foods such as wheat, dairy products or gluten (a protein found in grains like wheat).
• Food additives such as preservatives can also cause problems for people with sensitive digestive systems because these additives irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines when consumed regularly over time.

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How To Get Rid of IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)

With IBS, there are several treatment options available to you. These include:

OTC medications and improving your diet can help. (Image via Unsplash / Freestocks )

• Medications. Antidiarrheal drugs such as loperamide (Imodium) may help reduce diarrhea. Metoclopramide (Reglan) helps reduce the amount of gas in your stomach and intestines.
• Antidepressants can reduce anxiety, depression and pain associated with IBS symptoms; they're also effective at controlling constipation if taken regularly over time.
• IBS Diet -- Avoiding certain foods can help manage IBS symptoms for some people; however, this isn't always effective because there's no one food thought to cause all cases of IBS.
• Stress management -- Stress can worsen existing symptoms or even trigger new ones in some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing stress levels among those living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

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Irritable bowel syndrome can be treated with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. For example, some people find relief from their symptoms by making dietary changes such as eating more fiber and probiotics (good bacteria), while others may need prescription medications like antidepressants or antispasmodic agents.

The best approach is to discuss your options with your doctor so that together you can find what works best for you!