Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. The disease is often referred to as IBS and sufferers of this chronic condition often experience episodes of stomach cramps, bloating and constipation or diarrhoea. The pain often occurs during stools and is occasionally accompanied by abdominal bloating. There are no structural abnormalities to explain the pain. IBS occurs in approximately 15% of the adult population.1
This condition is associated with susceptible nerves in the intestine, which causes severe pain and cramps along with other potential symptoms. But there are ways to handle and reduce its impact on your daily life.
In this article we will provide an overview of the symptoms, causes and treatments for this condition.
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What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
In this condition, the bowel function is in imbalance, but all parts of the intestines look normal even under careful testing. IBS can affect people of all ages, but it usually develops first in young adults. Women are affected more often than men. The ethology behind the condition is not known, but researchers believe it is probably a multifactorial condition, and evidence suggests motility, inflammatory, genetic, immune, psychological and dietary components as causes.2
Irritable bowel symptoms
The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary individually.
The main symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps – usually worse after eating
- Bloating – your stomach may feel uncomfortable
- Diarrhoea – You may have watery stools and sometimes suddenly cramped
- Constipation – you feel the intestines do not drain completely after stools
The condition can also cause:
- Gas (flatulence)
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Nausea
- Backache
- Urination problems – urge to urinate frequently and the feeling that you do not empty the bladder completely during urination
- Not always able to control feces (incontinence)
Some of the most important side effects are changes in stools, so if you suspect this condition, it may help to record changes, so it can be easier and easier diagnosis at the doctor’s visit.
Chronic diarrhoea of irritable bowel syndrome
Chronic diarrhoea is a common clinical problem affecting approximately 5% of the population in a given year. A wide range of problems can cause chronic diarrhoea; Some of the common causes of the condition, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), malabsorption syndrome where food can not be digested and absorbed, and other chronic infections.
Many patients with chronic diarrhoea have structural problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, which can be easily identified. Others do not and are often diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea.
A diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea identifies a group of patients who are not likely to suffer from anatomic changes in the intestine. It is less clear that a diagnosis of this condition identifies a specific pathophysiology or leads to better treatment of symptoms. Disorders such as intestinal bacterial overgrowth, bile acid malabsorption, food intolerance and motility disorders may pose symptoms in patients with this diagnosis.
Irritable bowel syndrome and alcohol
People suffering from this condition must be very careful about what they eat and drink. Some experts spend time investigating nutrients and food-based causes, but alcohol and this condition are not a good combination, because alcohol can greatly increase the severity of the symptoms. Even an alcoholic drink may be enough to trigger an outbreak of the syndrome, since alcohol is a toxic substance that may seem irritating to the intestine. Alcohol stimulates the digestive tract so that it can cause heartburn, abdominal pain and diarrhea. This case may be very individual, so we always encourage you to consult your GP regarding the use of alcohol.
Treatment options
There is no single diet or medicine that works for anyone with this condition. But there are many things that can help if you have been diagnosed.
Smaller signs and symptoms can often be controlled by managing stress and by making changes in diet and lifestyle. This includes:
- Avoid foods that trigger your symptoms
- Eat high-quality foods
- Drink plenty of liquid
- Train regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Irritable bowel and diet
If you have been diagnosed with this condition, the doctor may recommend that you increase dietary fiber with fruits, vegetables, beans, whole wheat bread and cereals. High-fat meals can cause problems by inducing powerful colon constructions faster than usual, which can trigger cramps and diarrhea.
Some people tend to not tolerate spicy foods, some spice that triggers are:
- Hot sauce
- Spicy Grill sauce
- Chilli powder and Chili
- Garlic, curry or ginger
Medicines: irritable bowel syndrome
One should always be reluctant when purchasing medical treatment of the condition. Considering that many of the drugs for this condition at best have a marginal effect. Therefore, we recommend that you always seek a doctor quickly if you suspect a potential infection or disease so you can get the right treatment. We advise to buy a form of treatment without consultation with a doctor, due to many medications may have different contraindications with other medicines you already use.
Imodium comp against irritable bowel
You can treat irritable bowel syndrome-related diarrhoea with imodium. This medicine works in harmony with your body to restore its natural rhythm, gently delays digestion back to a normal pace. However, as mentioned earlier, it is recommended to consult with a GP prior to the purchase of any medicines. It does not remove the root cause of the stomach problem, but it helps the stomach system to become more stable.
If you are pregnant, you should not use the medicine and should instead contact a doctor to determine which treatment is most optimal. Women who breastfeed can use the medicine if necessary, but talk to a doctor or healthcare professional first.
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