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).

How to Get Rid of Irritable Bowel Syndrome


How to Get Rid of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS is a common problem among many. If you are having pain in your abdomen, have diarrhea, or constipation, then you will want to find a variety of ways to get rid of IBS. Depending on how badly you have IBS or what you are comfortable with will help you to determine the right option for getting rid of IBS. If it is not taken care of, it can cause problems with your everyday functioning and not allow your body the proper care that it needs.

One of the easiest ways to get rid of IBS is by beginning to change your diet. Not having enough fiber in your diet is a common problem which leads to complications in your digestive tract. Eating grains and other types of foods with high fiber, or taking a supplement with this will help your digestion move back to normal. Some also say that a stimulant, like caffeine is helpful. Coffee or soda drinks usually will help to relax this area.

If you are finding that changing your diet or taking certain foods isn’t working, or wasn’t the problem, then you can try several other things. Taking medications is another choice that is available to you. There are several different types of laxatives that are available for IBS. Anticholinergic medications are another possibility, which will allow this area to stay relaxed. These are especially good before meals. There are plenty of medications that you can get either over the counter or through your doctor.

Another option is to find ways to relieve stress through the day. Many times, IBS is related to emotional and stressful conditions. Anti-depressants are an easy way to do this. You can also consider getting emotional support and help if you know that there is a problem which is causing your body to react. Taking time outs during the day and allowing yourself to relax is an easy way to get your digestive tract back on the right path if you don’t think the symptoms are too severe.

There are also other anxiety reducing types of activities that you can do. Because IBS is a condition where the muscles in that area may not be stretched or able to relax, things such as exercise can help to move IBS out of your system. There are several relaxing exercises and stretches that can help your intestine and the muscles in that area relax and stretch. Finding other activities that involve physical movement can also help to stretch that area so that you can get back to normal again.

No matter how bad IBS is affecting your life, you can solve it through a variety of options. Knowing what is going on, as well as understanding ways to treat the problem will help you to get rid of IBS and move back into a normal lifestyle. Knowing how to help your digestive tract is the way to improve your condition and not move into further problems with irritable bowel syndrome.


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

  • 10 Travel Tips for IBS
    10 Travel Tips for IBS If you are someone that travels a lot, either for business or pleasure, you won't want to deal with the flares that occur from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you are dealing with IBS, you can find tricks to help monitor and keep your digestive system under control. Following are ten tips for those who are traveling with IBS. 1. Don't stress. Usually, stress will irritate your digestive system, and cause for IBS to flare. Make sure that you get to the airport on ...
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  • 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 ...
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    IBS in the News


    12/22/2011
    $6.75M Awarded To Case Western Reserve To Study IBD
    Investigators at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine received a $6.75 million Program Project Grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to study the role of innate immunity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)...

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    12/01/2011
    Risk Factors For Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency Are Similar To Risk Factors For Developing Multiple Sclerosis: UB Study
    Summary: A vascular condition called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), which has attracted global attention as possibly being correlated with MS has, for the first time, been studied for the presence of risk factors in subjects who do not have a neurological disease...

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    11/22/2011
    Probiotics For Gut Health: VSL#3 Has Designations For Specific GI Issues
    As clinical studies continue to validate the use of probiotics to help promote general gastrointestinal health, a growing U.S. market1 for probiotics indicates that the U.S. healthcare community and consumers alike are recognizing the value of these beneficial microorganisms...

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    11/02/2011
    Targeted Antibiotic Drug Safest Among Recommended Treatments For Irritable Bowel Disease
    Among the most commonly used treatments for irritable bowel syndrome which affects as many as 20 percent of the United States population a targeted antibiotic was shown to be the safest in a new study by Cedars-Sinai researchers, based on an analysis of 26 large-scale clinical trials. The study, for presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting in Washington, D.C...

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    11/01/2011
    Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Responds To Probiotics
    'Good bugs' look promising as anti-inflammatory agent for patients with ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, chronic fatigue syndrome In four different studies presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 76th Annual Scientific meeting in Washington, DC, researchers explored the effectiveness of probiotics for antibiotic-associated diarrhea; as an anti-inflammat...

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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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