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).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Facing irritable bowel syndrome - Expert Advice on Health and Fitness - Brief Article


Author: Ebony

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 chronic condition that's characterized by abdominal pain or cramping and changes in bowel function.

Doctors say IBS is a functional disorder of the intestines that currently affects 40 million Americans. It affects nearly two times as many women as men and typically begins in late adolescence, but can affect people of any age.

In IBS sufferers, the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard enough, causing slow or accelerated movement of waste through the intestines. It isn't a life-threatening condition, and it can be controlled by eating a healthy diet that includes enough fiber and by avoiding foods that aggravate the condition--fatty and spicy foods, milk products, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate.

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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

  • A Free and Simple Test for pH, a Potential Health Tester

    It is estimated that 80% of all deaths in the United States can be delayed and you have the power to

    DO IT! The leading killers to the American population are heart disease, diabetes, and obesity is all avoidable. These health problems and other serious health conditions including; allergies, depression, poor digestion, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, anxiety and many more have a direct link to our diets and nutritional intake. By measuring your saliva pH at home you can ...
    Author: Dr. Steven Zodkoy
    CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE

  • A nutritional approach to treating irritable bowel syndrome

    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a chronic intestinal disorder marked by recurring symptoms of abdominal pain and alteration of bowel habit. Nutritional influences on this syndrome are due primarily to the effects of macronutrients as well as to idiosyncratic reactions to specific foods.

    [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

    Dietary Fat

    Fat is the major dietary stimulant of the gastrocolonic response. (1) Patients have an exaggerated and prolonged release of cholecystokinin followi ...
    Author: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
    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...

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    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...

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    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...

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    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...

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    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)...

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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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