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 Support Groups


Irritable Bowel Syndrome Support Groups

Several who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome may think that they are alone when trying to find information or solve the problem. However, there are several who have had experiences with IBS and are working to find the best solutions for them. If you have IBS, and don’t know what to do about it or are having problems coping with the problem, then finding the right support group can help you to get rid of the symptoms.

One of the popular places to look for IBS support groups is online. There are associations and chat groups that are dedicated to supporting others who have IBS and are trying to get rid of the problem. By becoming part of one of these communities, you will be able to remain anonymous and find the information you need, as well as help others who are going through the same experience. Chat rooms are unique because you can get help at any time of the day from a variety of people.

You may also want to consider finding a support group or area where others with the same problem can meet with you. You can ask your local doctor or physician if there are support groups for IBS that you can become a part of. Often times, having someone to meet in person will help you to deal with the symptoms easily. By sharing with these problems, it will help to relieve some of the stresses from this disorder and help you find new ways to take care of the problem, both physically and mentally.

Each support group that you find will focus on different types of information as well as different types of support. For example, one support group may be focused on the symptoms of IBS, while others will support each other for complications that have occurred. Others will be able to give you advice about the treatments that work best and help you in making the changes. There are some areas that will also focus on the latest news and medical tests that are related to IBS.

One of the advantages of support groups is that they will provide you with unique takes on IBS. They will also provide you to get past feelings of uncomforting physical and mental problems that you may not think others are experiencing. One of the problems with IBS is that it is often not taken care of through a doctor, making someone feel alone in the process of trying to solve the problem. By knowing there are others that are going through the same problem as you, it will help you to relieve the problem faster.

If you need knowledge on the symptoms of IBS, or need support when learning how to overcome the disorder, then finding a support group is one option to take. This will not only provide you with physical options while changing your lifestyle to fix IBS, but will offer emotional and mental support that you may not have had otherwise. Finding the right IBS support group is one step that you can take for your recovery.


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

  • Constipation and IBS
    Constipation and IBS Constipation is one of the major characteristics that are related to IBS. There are several reasons why constipation may be occurring, which is either part of the syndrome or can be factored into a different problem. Knowing whether constipation is a result of IBS is important to determine soon after the symptoms begin to occur. This will help you in deciding the right treatments to get to put your digestive tract back in place. Knowing why you have constipation i ...
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    IBS in the News


    08/24/2010
    Low Bone Mineral Density Common In Children And Teenagers With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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    08/23/2010
    Stress Management, Diet Changes Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
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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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