Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI) condition that causes recurrent attacks of abdominal pain or discomfort in association with bowel habits. This condition affects up to 5-10% of individuals worldwide and it can affect children and adults of both genders.
Understanding IBS
In IBS, the digestive system appears normal on routine tests. For this reason, it has been referred to as a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. However, there is increasing evidence that the GI symptoms experienced in IBS may be caused by one of more of the following:
- Abnormalities in gut motility
- Improper functioning of the immune system (over or under active)
- changes in the bacteria that live in the gut (microbiota),
- minor increases in bowel inflammation (body responses to protect us from infection), and
- The central nervous system’s interpretation of painful signals coming from the gut.
These changes can alter the way the digestive system functions and how the brain senses things that are happening in the bowels. Sometimes IBS will develop after a person has a food poisoning or bowel infection (enteritis). More recently, it has been discovered that in some IBS patients there is a change in the way the brain controls the functions of the bowel, and also in how the bowel sends information back to the brain.
These disturbances can produce symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating or a sense of gaseousness, and a change in bowel habits (diarrhea and/or constipation).
Is IBS inherited?
There are several studies showing that children of mothers with IBS are slightly more likely to be diagnosed with IBS. Also, siblings of IBS patients are more likely to have the condition as well. These studies suggest that certain genes play a role in IBS. This research is ongoing and hopefully lead to the development of a diagnostic test for IBS in the future.
A lifetime of IBS?
Each person’s illness experience with IBS is unique. Some can have symptoms a few days a month while others may have daily symptoms for weeks or months at a time. It is very common for the symptoms to change as well as the subgroup (IBS-D, IBS-C or IBS-M) and severity to change.
IBS is often a chronic disease or illness that has ongoing symptoms and lasts a long time, typically many years of life-long. Many IBS patients will experience symptoms their whole life. One exception is for individuals who developed IBS after food poisoning or post-infectious IBS. More than half of post-infectious IBS patients will gradually get better over time. Some will completely recover.
IBS Treatments Depend on Symptom Severity
- Mild symptoms occur infrequently. They sometimes interfere with normal daily functioning.
- Moderate symptoms occur more intensely and frequently. They more often interfere with daily activities.
- Severe symptoms are frequent and intense. They chronically interfere with daily functioning.
Whether mild, moderate, or severe all IBS treatment should begin with education about the nature of the disorder…
- IBS is a long-term condition
- Symptoms flare over and over again
- Symptoms can change over time
- The symptoms themselves are not life threatening
- IBS is not a risk for another more serious disease
For moderate symptoms consider…
- Use of a diary, such as IFFGD’s Personal Daily Diary, to help find factors that worsen or bring on symptoms
- Stress management, gut-directed hypnosis, biofeedback, relaxation, or pain management techniques
- Consulting with your physician about the use of drug therapy. This often depends on your dominant bowel symptom
If symptoms are severe, also consider…
- The use and benefits offered by cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Consulting with your healthcare provider about the use of drug therapy for treatment of pain and bowel symptoms.
- Use of a low-dose antidepressant, which acts on pain and other symptoms.
- Seeking referral to a pain treatment center. These specialty centers are usually connected with universities.
For more information visit www.aboutibs.org.