Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What You Need to Know

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive problem that affects many people around the world. It causes symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, which can make everyday life challenging. About 5% to 20% of adults experience IBS, and it tends to affect more women than men. Understanding IBS is important for those who have it, as there are ways to manage the symptoms and improve daily life.

• Abdominal pain and discomfort – You may experience abdominal pain and cramps, especially after eating, which may get better after pooping.
• Bloating – The stomach may feel swollen or full.
• Change in bowel movements – Depending on the type of IBS some people experience constipation and others diarrhea. While a few may experience an alternation between the two.
• Mucous in stool – Some individuals even experience mucous in their stool.
• Other associated symptoms – Farting, excessive gas or acidity, tiredness, nausea, and backache are a few other related symptoms.

Types of IBS

• IBS with constipation (IBS-C) – Patients may experience hard, difficult to excrete stools in more than 1 out of 4 times they poop.
• IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) – Patients may experience loose watery stools in more than 1 out of 4 times they poop.
• IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M) –  Patients may experience both loose watery stools or hard stools alternately. 
• Unsubtyped IBS (IBS-U)- Under this category lies patients who don’t fit properly in either of the above categories

Causes and Risk Factors

• Brain-gut interaction- The gut-brain axis has a bidirectional communication system. It plays a crucial role in IBS. When there a miscommunication in signals sent through the brain it may cause issues like abnormal gut movements, abnormal reaction to normal levels of gas, etc. This overall may contribute towards IBS.
• Bacterial infections present in the digestive tract may influence it.
• Genetic factors – Research⁽¹⁾ suggests that IBS can be genetically inherited
• Stress and other psychological factors play a significant role in IBS
• Food intolerance or allergy may also add to the cause and risk behind IBS.

Diagnosis

• The primary diagnosis of IBS generally revolves around the symptoms and the duration from which you are experiencing it. Your doctor may also feel your stomach to check bloating, or any other issues.
• At times blood tests or stool tests may be prescribed to rule out any other disease or health issue.
• Very rarely tests like endoscopy or colonoscopy may be prescribed under extreme symptoms.

Treatment Options

• Dietary modifications- Restricting the intake of food with poor absorption such as apples, onions, etc.
• Increase intake of food rich in fiber.
• Keeping a food diary and noting down triggers and avoiding those in the future.
• Lifestyle changes – Doing some light exercises, avoiding stress, and getting a good sleep overall help patients with IBS
• Medications – Doctors mainly prescribe these based on the symptoms.
• Psychological therapies – Mental health therapies can be beneficial to manage IBS, especially in individuals with extreme stress which may be their trigger for IBS

Conclusion

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive issue that causes belly pain and changes in bathroom habits, like diarrhea or constipation. While the exact causes are unclear, it likely involves problems with how the brain and gut communicate. IBS can affect many people, especially women and younger adults, making daily life difficult. Management often includes dietary and lifestyle changes, along with medication to reduce symptoms. Understanding IBS is important for those affected, as it helps them seek the right care and support.

References

Genome-wide analysis of 53,400 people with irritable bowel syndrome highlights shared genetic pathways with mood and anxiety disorders | Nature Genetics

Symptoms & Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – NIDDK

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – Symptoms – NHS