Feb. 25, 2021 | Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common disorder that affects your colon, which is also known as the large intestine or large bowel. Irritable bowel syndrome commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, diarrhea and constipation. Despite these uncomfortable signs and symptoms, IBS doesn’t cause permanent damage to your colon. Approximately 20 percent of Arkansans will have IBS symptoms at some point in their lives. Most people with IBS find that their symptoms improve as they learn to control the condition. Only a small number of people with irritable bowel syndrome have disabling signs and symptoms. Fortunately, unlike more serious intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome doesn’t cause inflammation or changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer. In many cases, you can control irritable bowel syndrome by managing your diet, lifestyle and stress.

Feb. 25, 2021 | Women are more likely than men to have irritable bowel syndrome, the symptoms of which can vary widely from person to person and often resemble those of other diseases. The most common signs of IBS include abdominal pain or cramping, a bloated feeling, gas and diarrhea or constipation. Like many people, you may have only mild symptoms but sometimes these problems can be disabling. In some cases, you may have severe symptoms that don’t respond well to medical treatment. Because these symptoms can occur with other more serious diseases, it’s best to discuss them with your doctor. For most people, IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when the symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely. It’s important to see your doctor if you have a persistent change in bowel habits or any other symptoms of IBS as they may indicate a more serious condition, such as colon cancer.

Feb. 25, 2021 | It’s not known exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm as they move food from your stomach through your intestinal tract to your rectum. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal. Food is forced through your intestines more quickly, causing gas, bloating and diarrhea. In some cases, the opposite occurs. Food passage slows, and stools become hard and dry. Abnormalities in your nervous system or colon also may play a role, causing you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your intestinal wall stretches from gas. There are a number of other factors that may play a role in IBS. For example, people with IBS may have abnormal serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that’s normally associated with brain function, but it also plays a role in normal digestive system function.

Feb. 25, 2021 | Because it’s not clear what causes irritable bowel syndrome, treating it focuses on the relief of symptoms so that you can live as normally as possible. In most cases, you can successfully these symptoms by learning to manage stress and making changes in your diet and lifestyle. But if your problems are moderate or severe, you may need to do more. Your doctor may suggest taking fiber supplements, such as psyllium or methylcellulose, with fluids to help control constipation. If you have bothersome bloating or are passing considerable amounts of gas, your doctor may suggest that you avoid such items as carbonated beverages, salads, raw fruits and vegetables, especially cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Some people need medications called anticholinergics that affect certain activities of the autonomic nervous system to relieve painful bowel spasms. These may be helpful for people who have bouts of diarrhea, but can worsen constipation.

Feb. 25, 2021 | In many cases, simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can provide relief from irritable bowel syndrome. Although your body may not respond immediately to these changes, your goal is to find long-term, not temporary, solutions. When you have irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber can have mixed results. Although it helps reduce constipation, it can also make gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks. Some foods that contain fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. If you have diarrhea, you may find that eating small, frequent meals makes you feel better. If you’re lactose intolerant, try substituting yogurt for milk or use an enzyme product to help break down lactose. And try to drink plenty of water every day. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, and carbonated drinks can produce gas.