Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common illness that affects the large intestine. Cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both, are signs and symptoms. IBS is a long-term condition that you'll have to deal with.Only a small percentage of IBS patients experience severe indications and symptoms. Diet, lifestyle, and stress management can help some people manage their symptoms. Medication and counseling can help with more severe symptoms.
IBS does not lead to alterations in gut tissue or an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Symptoms
IBS symptoms and indicators vary, although they are frequently present for a long time. Among the most common are:
- Passing a bowel movement causes abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating.
- Bowel movement changes
- Changes in the frequency of your bowel movements
- Bloating, gas, and mucus in the stool are other symptoms that are frequently linked.
Diagnosis
IBS can't be diagnosed with a specific test. Your doctor will most likely do a thorough medical history, physical examination, and testing to rule out other disorders such as celiac disease. Your doctor is likely to use one of the following sets of diagnostic criteria for IBS after ruling out other possibilities:
- The Rome criterion. Abdominal pain and discomfort that lasted at least one day per week for at least three months and was linked to at least two of the following factors: The consistency of the stool, as well as the frequency with which it is defecated, causes pain and discomfort.
- Based on the type of IBS
The following are examples of diagnostic procedures:
Colonoscopy. Your doctor examines the full length of your colon with a thin, flexible tube.
CT scan or X-ray These tests provide images of your belly and pelvis that may help your doctor rule out other possible reasons for your symptoms, particularly if you are experiencing abdominal pain. Your doctor may inject a liquid (barium) into your large intestine to make any issues evident on an X-ray. A lower GI series is another name for this barium test.
Endoscopy of the upper intestine. A long, flexible tube is put into the tube that connects your mouth and stomach and down your neck (esophagus). The doctor uses a camera on the end of the tube to examine your upper digestive tract and acquire a tissue sample (biopsy) from your small intestine as well as fluid to check for bacterial overgrowth. If celiac disease is suspected, your doctor may recommend an endoscopy.
The following are examples of laboratory tests:
Lactose intolerance testing is carried out. Lactase is a digestive enzyme that aids in the breakdown of sugar found in dairy products. You may experience symptoms similar to IBS if you don't produce lactose, such as abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhoea. Your doctor may suggest a breath test or the exclusion of milk and milk products from your diet for several weeks.
A breath test can indicate bacterial overgrowth. A breath test can also reveal whether you have bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine. Bacterial overgrowth is more common in those who have had colon surgery, diabetes, or another illness that causes digestion to be delayed.
Tests on the feces If you have persistent diarrhea, your stool may be tested for bacteria or parasites, as well as a digestive liquid produced by your liver (bile acid).
Treatment
IBS treatment focuses on symptom relief so that you can live as normally as possible.
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