Understanding and Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Symptoms, Triggers, Treatment Options, and Prevention

2023-10-11 14:00:00

Enas Al-Banna wrote Wednesday, October 11, 2023 05:00 PM

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder that affects the small and large intestine, causing symptoms such as abdominal cramps and changes in normal bowel habits.

According to the “everydayhealth” website, irritable bowel syndrome does not cause permanent damage to the digestive system, nor does it increase the risk of colorectal cancer, unlike inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is sometimes confused with irritable bowel syndrome but is a completely different disorder.

Signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can include:

Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating Excess gas Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating attacks of each But not all IBS is the same. There are several types: Irritable bowel syndrome accompanied by diarrhea Irritable bowel syndrome accompanied by constipation

Possible triggers of irritable bowel syndrome

Just as different IBS From person to person, IBS symptoms can be caused by a number of factors, including:

Certain foods or food ingredients such as milk and dairy products, citrus fruits, cabbage, wheat, and soft drinks.

Stress: Although it is not a direct cause of symptoms, research suggests that it may worsen symptoms, making them more severe and frequent.

Hormones: Taking estrogen therapy before or after menopause increases the risk of irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment options and medications for irritable bowel syndrome

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for IBS. Most people with IBS try different treatments before they find one or a combination of a few treatments that work. Your doctor will likely recommend the following strategies:

Dietary changes, medications, psychotherapy, complementary medicine such as acupuncture and meditative techniques

Depending on your symptoms, any combination of these options may be part of your treatment strategy.

Alternative and complementary therapies

Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness meditation – which help reduce stress – can be helpful in relieving IBS symptoms.

Another way to manage stress is through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the anxiety associated with symptoms. CBT targets the connection between the brain and the gut, which is considered a major contributor to IBS symptoms.

He demonstrated gut-directed hypnotherapy, which aims to change the body’s responses to IBS symptoms by making the gut less reactive to emotional disturbances and stress and changing how the brain interprets signals from the gut.

Prevention of irritable bowel syndrome

You can’t prevent IBS, but some lifestyle modifications can help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms.

Dietary changes are often key when it comes to stopping IBS symptoms before they start. Depending on the type of IBS you have, you may want to talk to your doctor about limiting or avoiding foods that produce gas (soft drinks, wheat, fruits, and vegetables), foods Which contain gluten.

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