Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder associated with the large intestine. The primary signs and symptoms that appear due to this condition are abdominal pain, cramps, gas, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea (sometimes both of these may occur one after the other). Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition, and one needs to learn how to manage it to lead a normal lifestyle.
A lot of individuals face the problem of irritable bowel syndrome. Most of them learn to control the manifestation of this syndrome’s signs and symptoms by eating a healthy diet and following a stress-free lifestyle. People who suffer from severe forms of the disease can use medical management for effectively dealing with discomfort. Contrary to popular perception, irritable bowel syndrome does not change the tissues of the bowel or increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
The signs and symptoms of this syndrome vary from one individual to another. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Pain in the abdominal region, a feeling of bloating, or cramping of the stomach muscles. A person may get relief from these symptoms after passing bowel movements.
- A buildup of gas
- Constipation or diarrhea, or a combination of both occurring alternatively
- Presence of mucus in the stools
- Many individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome tend to experience these symptoms in varying degree, and they improve on their own or even disappear after an episode. It may be necessary to see a doctor if the symptoms do not improve or get worse with time.
When should one consult a doctor?
It is essential to consult a doctor if there are changes in the bowel movements and any other signs or symptoms which add to the discomfort. This will help diagnose the underlying condition and rule out any serious conditions like colon cancer. Some of the more serious signs that need immediate medical attention are the loss of weight without any reason, the occurrence of diarrhea at night, bleeding in the rectum, anemia caused due to iron deficiency, difficulty with swallowing, and persisting pain that does not get better even after passing gas or bowel movements.
Triggers for irritable bowel syndrome
Most often, the symptoms for this syndrome are triggered by the following factors:
- Food: Food intolerance or allergies and its relation to this syndrome are not well defined because usually, food allergies do not lead to the development of this condition. But some foods do tend to serve as triggers that can worsen the symptoms of this condition. So, some foods that people with irritable bowel syndrome should avoid are wheat, dairy products, beans, cabbage, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, and milk, among others.
- Stress: This factor tends to impact and worsen the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This, too, is only a trigger for worsening the symptoms and does not cause the condition.
