Summary about Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. It causes a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. IBS is a chronic condition, meaning it's long-lasting, but symptoms can come and go. It doesn't cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain or cramping
Bloating
Gas
Diarrhea
Constipation
Alternating diarrhea and constipation
Mucus in the stool
Feeling that you haven't completely emptied your bowels
Changes in bowel movement frequency
Causes
The exact cause of IBS isn't well understood, but several factors are thought to play a role:
Muscle contractions in the intestine: Stronger or weaker contractions than normal can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation.
Nervous system: Abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system can cause you to experience more discomfort than normal when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool.
Inflammation in the intestines: Some people with IBS have an increased number of immune-system cells in their intestines.
Changes in gut microbes: Alterations in the bacteria, fungi and viruses in the intestines, play a key role in IBS.
Early life stress: People who have experienced stressful events, especially in childhood, tend to have more symptoms of IBS.
Medicine Used
Medications for IBS often target specific symptoms:
Anti-diarrheals: Loperamide (Imodium)
Laxatives: For constipation-predominant IBS
Anti-spasmodics: Dicyclomine (Bentyl) to relieve abdominal spasms
Antidepressants: In low doses, tricyclic antidepressants or SSRIs can help reduce pain.
Specific IBS medications: Alosetron (Lotronex) for severe diarrhea-predominant IBS in women (use restricted due to side effects), Eluxadoline (Viberzi) for diarrhea-predominant IBS, Rifaximin (Xifaxan) an antibiotic for bloating and diarrhea.
Lubiprostone (Amitiza) and Linaclotide (Linzess): For constipation-predominant IBS.
Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT): New treatment options are being tested for IBS, and some evidence indicates that FMT could improve symptoms.
Is Communicable
IBS is not communicable. It is not caused by a virus, bacteria, or other infectious agent and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Lifestyle and dietary changes can help manage IBS symptoms:
Dietary Modifications:
Identify and avoid trigger foods (e.g., dairy, gluten, certain fruits and vegetables, artificial sweeteners).
Consider a low-FODMAP diet (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols).
Increase fiber intake (carefully, as too much fiber can worsen symptoms for some).
Drink plenty of water.
Stress Management:
Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
Consider therapy or counseling.
Regular Exercise:
Get Enough Sleep:
Limit Caffeine and Alcohol:
How long does an outbreak last?
IBS is a chronic condition, not a single "outbreak." Symptoms can come and go. Some people may have symptoms daily, while others experience them less frequently. Flare-ups (periods of worsened symptoms) can last for a few days, weeks, or even months. There's no fixed duration for a flare-up.
How is it diagnosed?
There is no single test to diagnose IBS. Diagnosis is based on a combination of factors:
Medical history: Doctor will ask about symptoms, family history, and other medical conditions.
Physical exam:
Rome IV criteria: Standardized criteria based on symptom patterns to diagnose IBS.
Tests to rule out other conditions:
Stool tests to check for infection or inflammation.
Blood tests to rule out celiac disease, anemia, and thyroid problems.
Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (especially if there are risk factors for colon cancer) to examine the colon and rule out structural abnormalities or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Timeline of Symptoms
There isn't a typical timeline as IBS varies from person to person. Some people may have infrequent flares, while others deal with nearly constant symptoms. Symptom intensity can also fluctuate. The key diagnostic factor is recurring abdominal pain linked to bowel movements. Symptoms have usually been present for at least 6 months and active for at least 3 months.
Important Considerations
IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning there are symptoms without visible signs of disease (e.g., inflammation, tumors).
It significantly impacts quality of life.
There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can be managed effectively.
It's crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Other conditions can mimic IBS, so proper diagnosis is essential.
Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are common in people with IBS and can exacerbate symptoms. Addressing mental health is often an important part of management.