Irritable bowel syndrome is so common in all parts of the world that we can say with certainty that you or at least one person you know may suffer from it, not to mention the many cases that have not yet been diagnosed.

You may not realize that the symptoms you are experiencing indicate a medically recognized problem: irritable bowel syndrome!

Do you know what this syndrome is? Do you feel digestive disorders when you eat certain foods? Do you suffer from chronic diarrhea or chronic constipation?

Since April has come...which is the month of awareness and learning about irritable bowel syndrome, we have collected for you, my butterfly, all the information you would like to know about this functional disorder, its causes, symptoms, and treatment method, to help you improve your condition and quality of life if you suffer from it.

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month

In 2003, the Canadian Society for Bowel Research supported mayors across Canada to declare April as Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month.

So read everything with us, my dear, to know whether you suffer from it.

Overview of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

It is a common digestive disorder with annoying symptoms that affect the digestive system (stomach and intestines). People who suffer from it suffer from pain and cramping in the abdomen and gas, and sometimes they can suffer from diarrhea and at other times from constipation. Indeed, irritable bowel syndrome is not dangerous, nor does It worsen and cause tissue damage, or increase the chances of developing more serious complications in the nervous system, such as colon cancer. However, its symptoms are uncomfortable and remain a chronic condition that will accompany you for a long time, so why not deal with it and try to manage the symptoms so that you can enjoy a higher quality of life?

You can take simple steps, change your routine and what you eat, take appropriate medications, and receive cognitive behavioral therapy.

Irritable bowel syndrome requires long-term treatment, as it is a chronic condition.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Types

Irritable bowel syndrome is classified based on the appearance of the stool when symptoms are severe, as most people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome have normal bowel movements on certain days and abnormal bowel movements on other days. So, the type of syndrome is determined based on the abnormal days. Knowing the differences is necessary, as some medications only work with a specific type of irritable bowel syndrome, which is:

• Irritable bowel syndrome accompanied by constipation (IBS_C): The stool is hard and lumpy in consistency
• Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D): The stool is soft and watery
• Irritable bowel syndrome with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): Here, the consistency of the stool varies between solid, lumpy, loose, and watery.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are severe in a small minority of people. Symptoms can be controlled by following a balanced lifestyle and a healthy diet, and most importantly, avoiding stress. Severe symptoms are treated by consulting a doctor and taking appropriate medications.

The symptoms vary from one person to another and generally last for a long time. The most common symptoms are as follows:

• Change in the number of times you defecate
• Change in the shape of the stool
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal cramps and cramps
• Gases
• Incomplete defecation
• The presence of mucus in the stool appears white

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes

Experts classify it as a nervous intestinal disorder. Unfortunately, there are not yet sufficient studies on the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome, but some factors can increase the chances of infection, including:

Spasms and muscle contractions in the intestine

The lining of the intestinal wall is made up of successive layers of muscles. These muscles contract to move food through the digestive tract.

The abdomen can be filled with gas, and bloating or diarrhea may occur if the abdominal contractions are strong, intense, and last longer than usual. At the same time, weak contractions may slow the passage of food through the intestines and cause the stool to become hard and dry.

The nervous system and nerve problems

You may feel disturbed when there are gases or stool in your intestines, as they cause problems with the nerves in the digestive system. Your brain can also overreact to the changes that occur in the intestines during the digestion process, due to poorly coordinated signals between it and the intestines, and this in turn causes you to feel pain and constipation or diarrhea.

Severe infections

Do not be surprised, my butterfly, as a severe bout of diarrhea resulting from a virus or bacteria can cause irritable bowel syndrome, and here we call the problem gastroenteritis. Bacterial overgrowth can also cause this syndrome (the presence of a large number of bacteria in the intestine).

Early life stress

The severity of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome is related to the psychological state of the person, and the severity of its symptoms increases and occurs frequently if the person is exposed to a lot of tension and pressure, especially in childhood and adolescence.

Stress contributes to increasing the severity and frequency of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, but does not cause them to occur.

Changes in the gut microbiome

Gut microbes (viruses, fungi, and bacteria) play a major role in maintaining the health of the body. Studies have shown that the gut microbes in people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome are different from the microbes in healthy people.

Type of food

There are not yet sufficient studies on the role of food, food allergies, and food intolerance in the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome, but there are some drinks and foods that cause an increase in the severity of symptoms when consumed in some people, including:

• Wheat
• Dairy products
• Acidic fruits
• Legumes
• Cabbage
• Milk
• Soft drinks

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Risk Factors

Anyone of all ages and genders can suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, and symptoms appear from time to time. Your chances of infection will increase if you:

Female

The incidence of irritable bowel syndrome is greater in women than in men, as estrogen treatment in the pre-or post-menopausal stage is the most dangerous factor in causing this syndrome.

Young

Irritable bowel syndrome is most common in people under 50 years of age.

You may have suffered from stress, depression, or mental health problems

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome become more severe and the chances of it occurring increase if you have been exposed to stress, tension, or previous incidents such as sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.

You have a family history of irritable bowel syndrome

Genetics, genes, and shared factors in the family environment can increase the chances of developing irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Complications

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, your condition is not serious, and it does not worsen to cause tissue damage, or increase the chances of developing more serious complications on the nervous system, such as colon cancer, but its symptoms are uncomfortable, will cause you discomfort, and can lead to:

Health problems

Frequent and chronic constipation or diarrhea can lead to hemorrhoids

Mood disorder

The disturbing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can cause you to feel anxious and depressed, and in turn, your feelings of anxiety and depression may exacerbate the symptoms of the syndrome and increase their severity.

Decreased quality of life

Many studies conducted on people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome have indicated that it has led to a decrease in their quality of life, and it has been found that some of them miss three times the number of days from work than healthy people.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis

Unfortunately, there is not yet a specific test through which we can definitively diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, but if you go to the doctor, he will conduct a complete medical examination and begin reviewing your medical history in addition to a physical examination and other tests that rule out other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

When to See a Doctor

Consult your doctor if you feel a change in the frequency of defecation, the shape of the stool, or other symptoms that may indicate irritable bowel syndrome, because this may indicate the presence of more serious conditions, such as colon cancer, and many symptoms may indicate a serious condition, such as :

• Weight loss for no apparent reason
• Diarrhea at night
• Rectal bleeding
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Vomiting of unknown cause
• Pain that does not subside even after passing wind or defecating

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

There is no complete cure. Rather, treatment depends on alleviating symptoms, controlling their severity, and preventing pain so that you can continue your life as normally and comfortably as possible.

Do not be afraid, my friend. You can often control mild symptoms by:

• Stay away from things that make you feel stressed and pressured
• Follow a healthy diet, avoid eating foods that cause symptoms, and eat a lot of foods rich in fiber
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Make healthy changes to your lifestyle
• Do exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep

Avoid eating some food

If you suspect that you have irritable bowel syndrome, your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods that increase the severity of your symptoms, such as:

• Soft drinks, alcohol, and any drinks or foods that may lead to increased gas in the stomach and your feeling of discomfort
• Gluten, as it causes an increase in the severity of the symptoms of diarrhea, and some people with irritable bowel syndrome reported that the symptoms of diarrhea improved after they stopped eating all types of gluten (barley, wheat, and rye).
• Some grains, vegetables, fruits, and milk derivatives that contain carbohydrates. Some people suffer from an allergy to them, such as fructose, fructans, and lactose, which are known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.

Take the right medicines 

A nutritionist can help you change your diet and support it with important elements and beneficial nutrients, and he may advise you to take some medications:

• Metamucil selenium husk is a nutritional supplement rich in fiber. Taking it with water will help you get rid of the constipation you suffer from.
• Laxatives are used if eating fiber does not help you get rid of constipation. Here, the doctor will suggest some laxatives available without a prescription, such as magnesium hydroxide that you take orally and polyethylene glycol.
• OTC antidiarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D), help control and relieve diarrhea.
• Bile acid-binding medications, such as colesevelam (Welchol) and cholestyramine (Prevalite).
• Anticholinergic medications, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), help relieve the intensity of intestinal spasms that cause pain. These medications are prescribed for people who suffer from frequent diarrhea and are generally safe but may lead to constipation, blurred vision, and dry mouth.
• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), or desipramine (Norpramin). These medications may help relieve depression and tension and inhibit the activity of nerve cells that control bowel movement. They also help relieve pain. He can prescribe them for you. If you suffer from diarrhea and feel pain but do not feel depressed, the doctor will prescribe you a lower dose than usual, and you should know, my friend, that it has side effects, such as blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. You can reduce these effects by taking the medicine before bedtime. A little.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil), are prescribed if you have abdominal pain accompanied by constipation.
• Pain relievers, such as pregabalin (Lyrica) or gabapentin (Neurontin), are useful for bloating and severe pain.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment with Alternative Medicine

There is no confirmation or sufficient studies on the benefit of alternative medicine in treating irritable bowel syndrome, but it has proven effective in alleviating symptoms, and we advise you, Madam, to consult your doctor before following any of the treatment methods that we will mention below:

Peppermint 

Peppermint greatly helps in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It reduces bloating, reduces the feeling of urinary urgency, relieves abdominal pain and the pain that some people feel during defecation, and relieves the accompanying diarrhea.

Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that inhabit the intestines and are found throughout the body. They help relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea, and feelings of bloating. Probiotics are abundant in some foods, such as:

• Yogurt
• Nutritional supplements

Yoga and meditation 

Practicing yoga and meditation helps reduce stress and relieve anxiety, thus treating irritable bowel syndrome and alleviating its symptoms. You can sign up to attend yoga classes or practice it at home by using YouTube channels or by reading books.

Hypnosis

Many studies support the effectiveness of long-term hypnosis for treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Since you, my butterfly, can consult a professional trainer to learn how to relax, and then relax the abdominal muscles through hypnosis, which helps you get rid of abdominal pain and bloating.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Special Medicines 

When you are diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, and if treatments to relieve symptoms do not work, the doctor will resort to prescribing internationally approved medications to treat the syndrome, including:

Alosetron (Lotronex)

It is a medication that helps calm the colon and helps slow the movement of waste in the lower intestine. It is prescribed by doctors registered in a special program for people who have not responded to treatment with other medications.

Alosetron is prescribed to you if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome accompanied by stubborn diarrhea, and it has not been tried or used in men who suffer from it.

Alosetron has side effects that rarely appear but are severe, so it was agreed not to prescribe it except in stubborn cases that have not responded to other treatments.

Linaclotide (Linzess)

It activates the secretion of fluids in the small intestine, which facilitates the passage of stool. It can cause diarrhea, and to avoid its occurrence, Linaclotide is taken half an hour or an hour before food.

Lubiprostone (Amitiza)

Lubiprostone contributes to stimulating the secretion of fluids, which facilitates the digestion process in the small intestine and facilitates the passage of stool through it.

Lubiprostone is prescribed to women who suffer from severe symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome accompanied by constipation, and only if they do not respond to previously prescribed treatments.

Rifaximin (Xifaxan)

It is a type of antibiotic that works to prevent bacterial overgrowth in the intestines and thus relieve diarrhea.

Eluxadoline (Viberzi)

Eluxadoline reduces the severity of diarrhea by reducing muscle contractions, reducing the rate of fluid secretion in the intestines, and supporting the strength of the rectal muscles.  But unfortunately, it has many side effects, such as nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation. The use of eluxadoline may be associated with pancreatitis, which is one of the most common serious infections that is frequently found among some individuals.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Future Treatment

Doctors have set their sights on studying new treatments that are beneficial in the case of irritable bowel syndrome, such as: cultivating fecal microbiota; It is a process that is being tried and studied. It involves replenishing a healthy intestinal microbiome by transplanting the feces of a healthy person into the colon of another person with the syndrome. Clinical trials are currently being conducted to explore the possibility of transplanting fecal matter and seeing how beneficial it is.

A word from Our Team

In April, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month.

My dear butterfly, if you are suffering from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, you are not alone, as studies indicate that the prevalence of this syndrome exceeds 15%. Be aware and go to consult a doctor, so that you can obtain the appropriate diagnosis and treatment, overcome irritable bowel syndrome, and improve your quality of life. Your life.

After our article, we hope that you have quenched your curiosity and satisfied it with the abundant information about irritable bowel syndrome, and learned about its symptoms, causes, treatment methods, and how to deal with it. For more important articles, follow Frashti magazine and SaraPopFit's website and learn the steps to do exercises correctly and safely. In a fun way, watch international trainer Sarapopfit's YouTube channel.

From our team, all the love and respect to you, our beautiful butterfly.

FAQ's about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

● What does the abbreviation IBS mean?

IBS is an abbreviation for irritable bowel syndrome, which is a common digestive disorder with annoying symptoms that affect the digestive system.

● What are the causes of irritable bowel syndrome?

Spasms, muscle spasms in the intestines, and nerve and nervous system problems can be triggered by irritable bowel syndrome, a severe infection, early life stress, or a change in the gut microbiome.

● What foods may increase symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

Wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, legumes, cabbage, milk and soft drinks.

● What are the types and characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS_C), irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), and irritable bowel syndrome with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)

● How common is irritable bowel syndrome?

It is a very common syndrome, with an estimated 10% to 15% of adults afflicted with it, and only about 5% to 7% go to see a doctor and receive a correct diagnosis.

● What are the causes of irritable bowel syndrome?

Intolerance to certain foods (such as wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, legumes, cabbage, milk, and soft drinks, pressure, stress, tension, spasms and muscle contractions in the intestines, problems with the nerves and nervous system, and can result from severe infection

● What medications are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome?

Medications specifically used to treat irritable bowel syndrome are as follows: dicyclomine, hyoscyamine, lubiprostone, linaclotide, plecanatide, and rifaximin.

Written by: Haidy Soliman 

Translated by: Ph. Marah Mohamad

Sources:

GL society

clevelandclinic

Better health

NIDDk

Mayo clinic