Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a disorder most commonly characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, constipation and or diarrhea.
While these symptoms cause a lot of distress they do not cause any long-term harm to the intestines or result in any serious illness like cancer. One in five Americans have symptoms of IBS, making it one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions and reasons for doctor visits.
More women than men are diagnosed with IBS and it starts before the age of 35 in 50 percent of people. Most people are able to control their symptoms with diet changes, medications and stress management. However it can be disabling for some, leaving them unable to work or be socially active.
Patients can complain of constipation associated with cramping and straining to have bowel movements. Most feel better after having bowel movements. Others can complaint of having diarrhea and occasionally have mucous in it. Mucous is the fluid that lubricates the gastrointestinal tract and protects it. A small sub-set of people can alternate between having constipation and diarrhea.
IBS symptoms can remit and relapse where patients can be symptom free for many months to years. Occasionally symptoms can be constant and worsen over time.
What causes IBS? Scientists have yet to identify a specific cause for it. Some think that people with IBS have a colon (a k a the large intestine) that is more sensitive to normal stimuli like intestinal gas, retained fecal material and certain foods. This sensitivity can be exaggerated during periods of stress.
Some feel that certain pain receptors in the colon can get more active in people with IBS due to abnormal levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter than delivers messages from one part of the body to the other).
Case studies have shown large groups of people developing IBS after an outbreak of bacterial gastrointestinal infection most commonly referred to as Post Infectious IBS. Certain people with celiac disease (a condition where the GI tract is sensitive to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley and certain types of grains) can have symptoms of IBS, as well.
Dr. Shakti Singh is a certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation in Modesto.
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Bee Healthy is a column written by a variety of Sutter Gould health care providers on topics that will range from how to pack healthy school lunches to coping with holiday stress, from cancer awareness to superfoods.
