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Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Many people find it surprising to be diagnosed of a syndrome that has been withthem for years. This is often the case with irritable bowel syndrome for whichmany people are only diagnosed and treated after several years of suffering overthe disorder.It is not surprising though that this is the case. People often think it normal thatthey visit the comfort room 5 times or so a day for a couple of weeks. Or say,abdominal cramping may become a normal occurrence after experiencing it forquite a time. People learn to get used with such discomforts after some time andmany will then ignore these once it reoccurs. This is basically the nature ofirritable bowel disorder. Many may experience mild symptoms that would triggervarious aches in the abdominal muscles followed by a period of absence ofabdominal irritation. 10 to 15% of the general population suffers from irritablebowel disorder. It is the most common disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologistswho specialize in conditions linked with the intestinal tract.
 
While irritable bowel may often be mistakened for colitis or mucous colitis,spastic colon, spastic colitis, ulcer, irritable colon or nervous stomach, many of itssymptoms is relatively different from that of these diseases.It is generally classified as functional disorder which means that the disease canbe referred only through careful examination of the physiological function ratherthan identifiable biochemical or structural causes. It is characterized by anabnormality that cant be dealt with using conventional methods of diagnosis suchas x ray, blood tests and examinations. Sometimes, even colonoscopy fails towork.Colonospcopy is the use of a flexible tube that is inserted into the anus of thepatient. This has a small camera on its end that is used for closer examination ofthe colon tissues. The image that is captured by this camera will then betransferred to the screen projector that physicians use for visual examination.Irritable bowel syndrome is considered to be a multi-faceted condition. It isunderstood that irritable bowel is a product of the disturbance in the interactionbetween various bodily components. These are the intestines or the guts, theautonomic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling voluntary musclesincluding the lining and the components of the intestinal tract, and the brain.Irritable bowel is characterized by a number of symptoms wherein the basicfactor is determined by abdominal discomfort or pain that is associated withchanges in bowel pattern such as frequent bowel movements, or loose andwatery stools. Symptoms vary from person to person, specifically in thefrequency and intensity of "irritation". Most people experience mild abdominaldistractions while others endure disabling attacks. While there is still no cure yetfor irritable bowel, treatment options are available in wide spectrum. Frommedications to changes in lifestyles, so long as the treatment works for yourcase, it is applicable. While some treatment may work for other people, otherpatients are less responsive to treatments. The same goes true with problematicfoods that trigger the attacks. Some foods may cause other people to experienceabdominal irritation while others may not feel any sensation at all.
 
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? 
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What causes IBS? 
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What are the symptoms of IBS? 
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How is IBS diagnosed? 
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How is IBS treated? 
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Does stress cause IBS? 
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Points to Remember 
 
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Glossary 
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For More Information 
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Acknowledgments 
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel
syndrome
*
(IBS) is a “syndrome,” meaning a group of symptoms. Themost common symptoms of IBS are
abdominal
pain or discomfort often reported ascramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. IBS affects the
colon
, or largebowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool.IBS is not a disease. It’s a
functional
disorder, meaning that the bowel doesn’t work, orfunction, correctly.
What causes IBS?
Doctors are not sure what causes IBS. The nerves and muscles in the bowel appear to beextra sensitive in people with IBS. Muscles may contract too much when you eat. Thesecontractions can cause cramping and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. Or thenerves may react when the bowel stretches, causing cramping or pain.
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