irritable bowel syndrome and ibs symtoms

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Your Journey into Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

As its name indicates, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a syndrome. That is, IBS is a combination of signs and symptoms, but not a disease. IBS is classified as a functional disorder. A functional disorder refers to a condition where the primary abnormality is an altered physiological function (the way the body works), rather than an identifiable inflammatory, infectious, structural, or biochemical cause.

Research also indicates that IBS is a multi-faceted disorder. For example, the symptoms of IBS result from what seems to be a disturbance or imbalance in the interaction between the intestines, the brain, sensory function, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function).

The articles on this site are provided to help you to better understand Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and your options for relief of these symptoms.

Click Here right arrow For a Special Report on the causes and treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome


What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Knowing whether you have irritable bowel syndrome or not can be found if you know what it means and what types of symptoms it includes. By defining the different areas of irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, you can then begin to make the necessary steps to healing from the problem. It is also important to understand why IBS occurs and the factors that are related to it.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that takes place by the lower intestine and then moves into the colon. This entire area will be stressed and unable to function at it’s proper level. From here, certain factors, such as stress or physical conditions will cause symptoms from these areas. Stress, physical problems, etc. irritate this area, causing a variety of conditions to be part of the problem.

One of the major signs for IBS is having pain in your abdomen and gut area. You may become hypersensitive or feel cramped. Your colon may also respond to these symptoms by having constipation and diarrhea or a combination of both. Your lower intestine and abdomen area continue to be irritated and not be able to take the stress of the body. Most will feel these symptoms after a meal or after something stresses them out during the day.

There are several reasons why IBS may occur. One of the most well known factors is from stress related problems. If you have family, work, emotional or physical stresses, it will cause your body to react in order to get you to relax. Another reason for IBS could be because of the way your muscle is moving in the lower intestine. The intestine will not have the ability to stress or move, causing it to react with irritation.

The things that you are eating may also play a part in the occurrence of IBS. If the symptoms have not been as consistent, you can easily change this by changing your diet. IBS may be occurring because you do not have enough fiber in your diet. This is one of the more popular reasons for problems from your lower intestines. Increasing fiber will help get rid of IBS. You can also take laxatives to relax your lower intestine and try to control the movements.

If you don’t take care of IBS when it begins to occur, you may have several other problems that result. If the symptoms don’t go away, it is best to see a doctor to see what options there are. If not, it can lead to dehydration or malnutrition. You will also have problems with normal activities and functioning.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome that occurs in several people. If you notice that you have these symptoms, it is best to find a treatment for them to give your body the relaxation that it needs. By doing this, you will be able to move back to your everyday functioning and relieve your body of the pains that it is having in the lower abdomen area.


For information on a number of other common health problems, be sure to check out our home page at Common Health Problems.

Health problems are becoming more common as the "baby boom" generation gets older and will continue to do so for the next 20 years or so. Bowel problems are no exception.

 

Risk Factors for IBS

The main risk factors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) include:

  • Sex
  • Family History

For example, you are far more likely to have IBS if you're young and female. In fact, two to three times as many women as men have the condition.

In addition, IBS does seem to run in families, possibly suggesting a genetic cause for the condition.

However, at the current time, the precise cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not known.

New Irritable Bowel Information

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    Human beings need relationships. Your relationships, past, present, personal or professional, represent a major source of stress in your life. Chronic stress causes breakdown of your immune system. This leads to many emotional and physical disorders including heart disease, fibromyalgia, cancer, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression.

    You can manage your stress many ways. Stress management strategies include deep breathing, relaxation exercises, physical exercise, meditation, an ...
    Author: Pat Swan, MS, Life and Relationship Coach
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  • Tegaserod in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

    Q For a few years now I have had to deal with abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation. I'm 45 years old, and I've had this condition for the past two years. I really don't know if certain foods aggravate the condition because the discomfort just seems to occur without warning. What could be my problem? A.W., Phoenix

    A Abdominal problems could result because of a variety of reasons, but your description appears to indicate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a ch ...
    Author: American Family Physician
    CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE

    IBS in the News


    03/10/2010
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients Not More Likely To Get Colon Cancer
    Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are at no greater risk of having polyps, colon cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases than healthy people undergoing colonoscopies, according to new research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. "Patients and doctors get nervous about the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)," says William D. Chey, M.D...

    more IBS info


    03/06/2010
    The Therapeutic Effect Of Worm-Derived Proteins On Experimental Colitis
    Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from chronic inflammation of the gut leading to gastrointestinal motility alterations with symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea that profoundly affect their quality of life...

    more IBS info


    03/02/2010
    Thiopurine Therapy For IBD Improves Quality Of Life
    Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis do perceive a benefit from thiopurine treatment. A report in the open access journal BMC Gastroenterology has demonstrated improved health-related quality of life in 92 IBD patients...

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    03/01/2010
    Celiac Disease Genes Identified In Immune System
    A UK-led international study has identified four types of genetic disturbance in the immune system that lead to celiac disease, bringing to 40 the total number of known inherited factors that increase a person's risk of developing the disease...

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    02/26/2010
    enGene Inc. To Present Research Data On EG-10 For Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
    enGene Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, announced that Dr. Eric Hsu, Sr. Director of Preclinical Research, is scheduled to present recent data on the use of enGene's proprietary technology to concentrate delivery of interleukin-10 (IL-10) to the colon for treating IBD at the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) annual scientific conference in Toronto...

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  • 10 Step Detox Program By Dr. Janet Hull
    Detoxification program for Radiation, Heavy Metals, Mercury, and Food Chemicals such as Aspartame!

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