Irritable bowel syndrome affects between six and eighteen percent of people all across the globe. It is a common and chronic condition that affects bowel movement, and that creates abdominal pain and other symptoms.
Poor sleep, stress, diet and other gut bacteria changes that lead to severe symptoms that are called triggers. However, you should have in mind that triggers tend to vary from person to person, so it is challenging to name a specific stressor and know what foods to avoid.
Before going to the hospital or checking with clinics like IBS Clinic that will provide a wide array of solutions for this particular problem, we will present you the most common signs and symptoms of IBS so that you can prepare yourself for treatment:
Cramping and Pain
The most common symptom and critical factor that will help you diagnose the IBS is abdominal pain. Since your brain and gut work together to control the digestion and that happens through hormones, signals, and nerves that will release good bacteria into your stomach.
When you have irritable bowel syndrome, these signals are distorted, which can lead to painful and uncoordinated tension in digestive tract and muscles of the gut. The pain tends to happen in the lower or the entire abdomen, but it won’t be only in the upper one.
The best way to treat this particular condition is by avoiding trigger foods and creates a diet that is low in FODMAPs so that you can improve pain as well as other symptoms too.
You should also use other bowel relaxants such as cognitive behavior therapy, peppermint oil, and hypnotherapy. If you do not respond to these changes, you can start to consume prescription medications that will help you ease the pain.
If you wish to learn more on FODMAPs and why should you avoid them altogether, you should click here for more information.
Diarrhea
The common problem that happens to people that suffer from this particular condition is diarrhea, and it affects at least one-third of IBS patients.
Studies have stated that people with IBS had regular 12 bowel movements every week, which is more than twice when compared with people without this particular condition.
The main problem is that people with IBS have accelerated bowel transit that could result in immediate and sudden urge to have bowel movements. Most patients describe this feeling as the severe stress, which is why they avoid social situations.
Stool tends to be watery and loose, and it can contain mucus, so if you notice any of these changes, you should visit a doctor immediately.
Constipation
Even though you probably think that it is illogical to have diarrhea and constipation at the same time, have in mind that IBS can also cause severe constipation. It is the most common reason for constipation that happens to 50% of people with IBS.
Since the communication between bowel and brain can slow down or speed up the average transit time for the stool when it slows, the intestine will absorb more water from it, which will create a difficulty to pass and you will have constipation problem.
It means that you will have less than three bowel movements every week. Functional constipation is a form which is not related and considered as IBS system, and it is common among people with bad daily habits.
Constipation can cause abdominal pain as well as the sensation of an incomplete bowel movement that could easily lead to unnecessary straining. Apart from changing daily habits and diet, you should drink more water and take probiotics so that you can reduce this particular symptom.
Gas and Bloating
Since the altered digestion and distorted signals between bowels and brain are ways to determine whether you have IBS or not, the other symptoms can include more gas production that can lead to bloating, which is very uncomfortable.
Most people with this particular condition identify bloating as the most persistent symptom, and according to study, 83% of patients reported cramping and bloating. Both signs were more common in women.
That is the main reason why you should consider avoiding FODMAPs and lactose in all forms.