irritable bowel syndrome and ibs symtoms

IBS Article Snippet

IBS Table of Contents

 

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).

A Functioning Digestive System and IBS


A Functioning Digestive System and IBS

Your digestive system, in relation to IBS, is usually set off because of the symptoms. Knowing how your digestive system works, as well as determining the different characteristics related to your digestive system and IBS will allow you to know what a functioning digestive system means.

The digestive system is mainly used to mix food and breakdown chemicals so that they can be used as nutrients. Food will move through your digestive system through muscles that help the food to move. As they move throughout your system, the muscles will mix the contents in to areas of the different organs. This includes movements through the esophagus, stomach and intestine.

From here, the digestive system will have several functions that will need to occur for the proper transportation of different types of foods. The first part of this is production of digestive juices. These are usually produced in each area of the system, each allowing the food to be properly broken down and moved through the system. The next part that the digestive system will be in charge of is making sure that nutrients are properly divided, dissolved or absorbed. This usually takes place in the upper intestine.

Proteins are another break-down that occurs in the digestive system. These will need to be digested by enzymes then can be used to produce and help with tissues. These are then supposed to move into the blood and provide different sources throughout the system. If you have IBS, this may be part of the problem that is causing your digestive system to react. If you don’t have enough enzymes to break down the proteins, then it will cause them to move into the wrong area, which then tenses the muscles. This, however, may not be the only source for problems.

Another major breakdown that the digestive system includes is a breakdown of carbohydrates. The digestive system will then transport or store these in different areas. Sugars and starches are usually part of this process. When one has IBS, this is usually the part of the digestive system that is failing. This is why many will state that cutting down on sugars and starches will help your body in not reacting.

Your digestive system, when functioning properly, will function with two different factors. The first is through hormones. These will all cause reactions from the digestive system, helping for the right reactions to be made through the stomach and intestine area. These can also be used to regulate appetite. Nerves are also part of the functioning with the digestive system. These nerves will release chemicals that will push food through the system and into the right areas.

The sensitivity of your digestive system may be what is causing IBS. Knowing the different functions and areas of the digestive system, as well as knowing what the problems may be in relation to this, can help you determine why you are getting IBS and what is happening with your digestive system. Knowing how your body should be working is one way to help find out how to get back to normal digestive functions.

...

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

  • How to Select a Hypnotherapist
    Most of us know all about daydreaming or zoning out. It is that unique moment in time when we lose all connection to whatever is going on around us. We may be present physically but we feel as though we are millions of miles away. That is an example of naturally occurring subconscious thought and hypnosis is the simple process of enabling it to occur.

    The subconscious mind is a complex and powerful place. It is where all of our values, beliefs, habits and patterns reside. It is also our ...
    Author: Paul Gustafson RN BSN CH
    CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE

  • Hypnosis Relieves Symptoms of IBS
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastro-intestinal (GI) condition with no known cause or cure. It causes the GI tract to move too quickly (hypermotility) or too slowly (hypomotility) and the resulting symptoms include any one or a combination of the following: diarrhea, constipation, cramping, gas, pain or bloating. Symptoms usually run in cycles lasting for days, months or years. IBS can be disabling making sufferers feel like prisoners in their own home.
    IBS affects 35 million A ...
    Author: Paul Gustafson, RN, BSN, CH
    CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE

    IBS in the News


    08/24/2010
    Low Bone Mineral Density Common In Children And Teenagers With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    A thesis from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) is the first in Scandinavia to study the occurrence of low bone mineral density in children and teenagers with inflammatory bowel disease. Half of the patients in the study showed signs of low bone mineral density...

    more IBS info


    08/23/2010
    Stress Management, Diet Changes Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
    When persistent cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation are causing distress and frequent bathroom trips, the next stop should be a visit to the doctor. These symptoms, commonly caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), often can be minimized with diet and lifestyle changes...

    more IBS info


    08/21/2010
    Proof That Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is Not In Your Head
    Irritable bowel syndrome makes life miserable for those affected -- an estimated ten percent or more of the population. And what irritates many of them even more is that they often are labeled as hypochondriacs, since physical causes for irritable bowel syndrome have never been identified...

    more IBS info


    08/05/2010
    UCD Scientists Pinpoint Potential Key Regulator In Battle To Target Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
    Research into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) led by UCD Conway Institute scientists with national and international collaborators has identified a key regulator involved in maintaining the functional integrity of the gut lining...

    more IBS info


    08/05/2010
    N30 Pharma Announces FDA Approval To Initiate Phase 1 Clinical Trial For First-in-Class Drug
    N30 Pharmaceuticals, LLC announced the approval of its Investigational New Drug Application for N6022 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. N6022, a first-in-class inhibitor of s-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), has the potential to be an important new treatment for acute exacerbations of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)...

    more IBS info

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

    Copyright All Rights Reserved
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    Graphics by: www.spGraphic.com