IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome - What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can definitely be a nuisance and annoying but you can learn to deal with this. If you take the time to find your triggers you can help yourself to not have as many attacks. So equip yourself with knowledge and take back control! Never be reluctant to admit that you don't know. There is no one who knows everything. So if you don't know much about IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome, all that has to be done is to read up on it!

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome may vary from person to person. Some people may feel discomfort in the form of pain and cramping inside the abdominal area of the bowel movements or irregular and painful periods of diarrhea and constipation. However, the most common conditions are either diarrhea or constipation. In some cases, people may show signs of both. The best way of gaining knowledge about IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome is by reading as much about it as possible. This can be best done through the Internet.

Some IBS medications are heavily marketed and highly advertised. IBS has become a fairly common diagnosis, affecting as many as one in five people at some point in their lives. It is important to remember that, while many IBS medications are safe for temporary use, some may worsen symptoms and/or cause other problems when used for long periods of time. In order to relieve IBS pain, many people turn to alternatives like chiropractic or hypnotic therapies. When stress is an issue, stress management techniques may be effective for relieving IBS pain and other symptoms. Regular exercise may be an effective alternative to IBS medications. Exercising stimulates the production of endorphins in the brain, which block pain and improve mood. And, of course dietary changes may be the most effective. Variety is the spice of life. So we have added as much variety as possible to this matter on IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome to make it's reading relevant, and interesting!

Over 1700 deaths were attributed to GERD, which is one of the digestive system disorders that can be effectively treated and controlled with medication, or herbal supplements, dietary and/or lifestyle changes. 825 deaths were due to ulcerative colitis and Chron's, which are digestive disorders called inflammatory bowel diseases and 22 were attributed to irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome is another one of the digestive system disorders that can be treated and controlled by using dietary supplements and making dietary and lifestyle changes, including stress management. Every cloud has a silver lining; so consider that this article on IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome to be the silver lining to the clouds of articles on IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is this article that will add more spice to the meaning of IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The cause of IBS is not known. It is not believed to lead to more serious conditions, does not appear to increase the risk for colon cancer, but the symptoms are similar to those of inflammatory bowel diseases and should be evaluated by a physician. Stress is not believed to be a cause, but it does tend to worsen IBS symptoms. IBS symptoms are more common in women than men, possibly indicating that monthly hormonal changes are a cause, but this has not been proven. For more information about IBS and other digestive problems, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com. Did you ever believe that there was so much to learn about IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Neither did we! Once we got to write this article, it seemed to be endless.

However, there are certain common guidelines and food groups one needs to focus on in order to steer clear of irritable bowel syndrome. In case, a diet plan does not seem to work at all, you need to consult a health care practitioner. We worked as diligently as an owl in producing this composition on IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome. So only if you do read it, and appreciate its contents will we feel our efforts haven't gone in vain.

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

Some of the symptoms you may experience with intestinal disorders include constipation, diarrhea, urgent bowel movements, and lower back pain. Sufferers of IBS often find their lifestyles circumscribed by their illness, and find that some days their illness rules their lives.People always think that they know everything about everything; however, it should be known that no one is perfect in everything. There is never a limit to learning; even learning about IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

While many cases of this syndrome are regularly reported worldwide, there are still no known causes that would determine the proper treatments. Many researchers agree that this may have a relation on the colon or the large bowel that is especially reactive to specific stresses and food elements.

Try to avoid alcoholic drinks, coffee and carbonated beverages since these may impact on the elimination process. Avoiding Caffeine, which is an ingredient in coffee and caffeinated colas can also potentially help reduce constipation.Go ahead and read this article on IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome. We would also appreciate it if you could give us an analysis on it for us to make any needed changes to it.

Irritable bowel syndrome signs and symptoms typically include abdominal (stomach) pain that is relieved by a bowel movement. It is believed that the pain may be caused by muscle spasms, so anti-spasmodic medications for irritable bowel syndrome are sometimes prescribed. The idea being that reducing the muscle spasms or contractions may relieve the pain, relax the intestines and possibly prevent diarrhea. Anti-spasmodic medications, like most prescription drugs, are not intended for long term use, so a complete treatment program which includes dietary changes and other therapies may be recommended as well. There is sure to be a grin on your face once you get to read this article on IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This is because you are sure to realize that all this matter is so obvious, you wonder how come you never got to know about it!

For now there may be no easy answers, no magic pill and no set standards for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome but there is the hope of tomorrow. A fledgling website has been fostered by a few concerned contributors feeling the need of bringing to IBS sufferers the best information available on the subject. Its contributors, suffers themselves, give their time and efforts actively seeking out any and all information that has the possibility of giving even the smallest amount of relief for those that struggle with Irritable bowel Syndrome. IBS Help Site.com though in its infancy, is in hope of helping, with timely information and ideas all focused on the care and treatment of those that have IBS. Someday, the greatest thrill would be the ability to post, in big and bold letters, that a cure for IBS has been found. Visit http://ibshelpsite.com for more IBS information. For articles concerning Irritable Bowel Syndrome please visit http://ibshelpsite.com/articles/ The more readers we get to this writing on IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the more encouragement we get to produce similar, interesting articles for you to read. So read on and pass it to your friends.

Our Readers' Questions and Answers

Is there a cure for IBS? (or) What is the mot effective medication?

jlx02000 asked on Sun, 17 May, 2009
My girlfriend has IBS (Irritable bowel Syndrome). Bad stomach cramps and upset stomach, bloatedness etc. Is there a cure? If you suffer from IBS or have done please could you tell me what realy worked for you? Genuine answers please (Don't want online sales) Thank you.
chelle0980 replied on Sun, 17 May, 2009
I have suffered with IBS for ten years now, and sadly there is no cure, but there is medication that can help ease the symptoms. The best one I have ever used it Mebevarin (probably spelt wrong!) which you can get over the counter, but it would be cheaper to get it on prescription as you get more. She can also control it by looking at what she is eating and working out what causes the symptoms. I found that baked beans, fried food, crisps and bran flakes all triggered off symptoms for me. I don't completely not eat them, I just limit them in my diet. Another big cause of the symptoms is stress. I find when I a lot going on in my life, I tend have the stomach cramps. Also when I am nervous about something. Some people say that things like yoga, Pilate's etc is good for IBS as it can relax the body, sadly I don't have the time to do anything like this so I couldn't tell you if it works lol! Some chemists sell books on particular illnesses, and IBS is usually a topic they cover. They are very good to read as it gives you loads of tips on keeping it under control.
websitesgb replied on Sun, 17 May, 2009
Hello there. I suffer from IBS as I can understand how your girlfriend feels. I have found that although there is no cure, there are lots of things to help. I found that the most effective medication for me is mebeverine - you can get this prescribed form the dr or, you can buy it over the counter (colofac is the most common brand of over the counter mebeverine). I also find that peppermint oil helps sometimes (although this can also make you burp or pass wind - i think that this is the point really though so as to ease the wind inside the body). You can also try buscopan and other ibs medications over the counter but it is best to go to the dr and see what they think is best. The best way to relieve the symptoms is to de-stress as worry and stress can make it worse. Nice warm baths and lavender as well to help her relax. Other than that it is trial and error. I have also found out that in severe cases (very severe) some drs have prescribed anti depressants as these have 'antispasmodic' (think this is how they describe them?) effects. Basically, they help to stop the intestine from spasming, but drs i think do this as a last resort. I hope this helps. :-)
LORI H replied on Sun, 17 May, 2009
I also suffer from IBS. Haven't had a flair up in years though. I used a medication called Levsin (generic is available) that is dissolved under your tongue. This medication is inexpensive, works fast to ease discomfort and helps with other type of intestine issue. This was giving to me when I had my gallbladder removed years ago. Had upper GI to rule out any other cause. Stress plays a huge role in the flair up as well as diet. Any foods with alot of seeds/spicy can trigger discomfort. Good luck to your girlfriend! Also try to research this condition on www.webmd.com/www.mayoclinic.com
minx replied on Sun, 17 May, 2009
In my humble opinion, IBS is a b.s. name for a collection of food intolerances mate....... i was diagnosed with IBS ...... after being diagnosed with a plethora of other "ailments" .......... it turns out i'm lactose intolerant, coeliac, severely intolerant to soy and processed sugar, intolerant to eggs and an array of chemicals they use to "preserve" our foods..... that was nearly 2 years ago that i finally addressed it all ........ cos i had to ditch all the nastynastytoxicsludge antidepressants they'd pumped me full of first ......... i'm full of bounce these day. I would suggest that your girlfriend get a second opinion ........ go and get herself fully assessed by a naturopath or nutritionally oriented physician ....... get them to do testing for food allergies/intolerances and chemical sensitivities .......what you ingest and absorb through your skin and breath can have a vast impact on the way you think, the way you feel and your overall health and vitality ....... seriously, you can live a pain free drug free life if only you know precisely what chemicals and foods are upsetting your system .... it could be something as simple as lactose intolerance or an intolerance to processed sugar or wheat ...... disorders from which people suffer due to intolerances to food or chemicals in their diets can cover almost the whole spectrum of physical and mental illnesses ..... an extraordinary concept but mind blowingly true....... do yourself a favor and go and get allergy tested. in the meantime, she should eat as much whole fresh foods that she prepares herrself that includes a wide range of leafy and green vegies, broccolli, kale, chard, celery, buk choy, some low sugar fresh fruits like watermelon, cantalope, pears and strawberries, some lean meats and fishes, brown rice, organic lentils, green beans, organic nuts and seeds like almonds, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds and lots of fresh filtered water .......... feed your body from God's table and wean yourself off any highly processed, packagedsludge that has little to no nutritional value anyway. In the meantime..... a good quality probiotic is a good idea to take too .... Probiotics are helpful bacterium which produce the enzyme lactase which helps digest lactose, a milk sugar............take a supplement before your main meals as this will help with the digestive process by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, it will also help maintain optimal intestinal pH, which, in turn, helps with complete digestion...... probiotics will increase the absorption of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium and sometimes iron too..... they also produce some of the B vitamins, including biotin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6...... the B vitamins are essential for healthy neural, digestive and immune system functioning. The freeze ~ dried form (powdered & necessary to refridgerate) is most stable and easily used by the body...... buy a dairy free variety as this will be the easiest for your system to use. Try to pinpoint any food intolerances or allergies she may have as well as bad digestive symptoms such as bloating, acid reflux, gassiness and tummy aches excessive belching can all be symptoms of lactose intolerance (or simply that you've just finished a course of antibiotics) .... try ditching the milk and dairy products for a few days to combat such digestive issues, and instead eat loads of leafy and green vegies, some organic nuts and seeds such as almonds and brazil nuts and some fresh tuna or salmon .... all are rich in calcium...... as are fresh vegies such as carrotts and fruits such as oranges........ the fish are rich in both calcium and vitamin D..... vitamin D is needed for effective calcium assimilation and is known as the sunshine vitamin so make sure you get 10 - 15 mins per day of safe sun exposure. You should feel a difference within a few hours of taking them .... but it really is imperative for her bounce and vitality that she pinpoints the cause of her digestive issues ......... ;0) What works for me is adhering strictly to not eating out of a package ....... and that includes no butter or margarine (contains low levels of lactose that gives me acid reflux within 5 minutes), no bread from a packet ...... i supplement the carbs with brown rice, lentils or quinoa ...... no dairy or milk at all ...... i eat loads of leafy and green vegies ..... snacking on fresh crunchy vegies like carrotts, celery and organic nuts and seeds ....... the sulfites in the packaged varieties totally fry my brain and bloat me ..... no dried fruits .. sulfites again.... some lean lean meats (no sausages, mince preserved meats) and fresh fishes ...... sounds boring as merry hail ....... but hey, it's waaaay better than being so so very sick all the time....... lots of fresh filtered water too and no sodas pop or soft drinks ....... they just dehydrate you and rip the calcium out of your bones ...... fresh fresh fruit (low sugar ones like pears, strawberries, watermelon) and loads of green vegies to realkalise her system........ 8 times out of 10 that she puts something in her mouth should be green vegies and some fruits ...... persistance is the key ......... and taking it slowly ie ~ not trying to ditch everything at once...... start by ditching the milk and dairy and see if her symptoms improve. ***edit*** oh, to test if she is intolerant to a particular food get her to measure her pulse rate and then take a bite of cheese..... sit down and relax for 20 minutes then take her pulse rate again... if her pulse has increased by more than 20 beats per minutes it is likely that she is intolerant to that particular food. *** good luck peace baby ♥
Joy Xx replied on Mon, 18 May, 2009
I developed IBS after stress prior to school exams and it has never went after 3 years but it is a lot milder and i am not currently taking medication for it. I was on Mebeverine ( think that was it lol) which did help make my symptoms milder as i was having intense pains after eating when i first developed IBS. However it seemed to stop helping so much after a while. Look that medication up or get her to ask her doctor to put her on it if she has not already tried it. It may help somewhat. Try and work out her trigger foods that make her stomach more uncomfortable after eating and avoid them as much as possible. It can be better to eat smaller meals more regularly than having bigger meals 3 times a day. I am going to try taking peppermint oil supplements as i have read many reviews from sufferers that this helps with their IBS (everyone is different) but its definately worth a try seeing as it cant harm you. So thats another option. For an upset stomach make sure she has relief medication available to ease discomfort if it occurs.
knownout replied on Sun, 17 May, 2009
Diet helps . I had it,, but not badly , I had an anti spasm odic like Maxolon also colofac(mebeverine) also helps a lot by relieving the spasms , Not sure avbout an absolute cure .. Think it is a case of looking for triggers or causes and avoid them , Might be a food intolerance problem like wheat or gluten , so tests are required .

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