At least a tenth of the world population is living with irritable bowel syndromes (IBS). The statistics might be higher, considering many cases go undiagnosed.

IBS is a common disorder that affects your colon. Its signs and symptoms include bloating, cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. IBS is a chronic, thus requiring long-term management.

Only a small percentage of those suffering from IBS suffer severe signs and symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, visit the UK IBS Treatment center for assistance.

It’s worth noting that IBS doesn’t cause a change in your bowel tissue. It also doesn’t make you susceptible or increase your risk of colorectal cancer.

When to Seek Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS) Treatment

The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary. These include the following;

• Excess gas and bloating in your digestive system
• Pain and cramping in your gut
• Abdominal pain, bloating or cramping that’s relieved by passing a bowel movement.
• Mucus in your stool.
• Changes in your bowel movements.
• Constipation or diarrhea- at times, alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea.
• Food intolerance; about 70% of people with IBS avoid certain foods. Such include stimulants like caffeine.
• Fatigue and difficulty when sleeping
• Anxiety and depression. It’s unclear which condition between IBS and depression comes fast. But the two are intertwined in a vicious cycle.

If you’re suffering from IBS, you’ll experience times when these signs and symptoms are worse. At other times, these will improve or disappear altogether.

See a doctor when you have a change in your bowel habits or other IBS signs or symptoms. It may indicate severe conditions like colon cancer. It includes the following;

• Diarrhea at night
• Weight loss
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Rectal bleeding
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained vomiting
• Persistent pain that doesn’t pass after a bowel movement
• Blood in your stool

 Treating Gut Disorders Symptoms and IBS

 Gut disorders include conditions like anal fissures, IBS, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other conditions. You can prevent or minimize the effects of these symptoms by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

A functional disorder occurs when your gut looks okay but doesn’t work correctly. They affect your GI tract, including the rectum and colon. Constipation and IBS is one of these factors.

Quite several factors will affect your GI tract and its ability to perform. Such include the following:

• Not enough exercise
• Eating food low in fiber
• Traveling or sudden change in routine
• Resisting the urge for a bowel movement
• Overeating dairy products
• Stress
• Overusing laxatives like stool softeners, which weaken your bowel movements over time.
• Using antacids medicine high in calcium or aluminum
• Pregnancy

 IBS Treatment

The success of any treatment procedure is dependent on your ability to diagnose it correctly. Thus, consider visiting a competent medical doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The doctor may advise you to:

• Avoid caffeinated drinks
• Monitor and avoid foods that trigger IBS
• Increase fiber in your diet. It will improve bowel movements, thus dealing with constipation. Take fiber gradually as it might worsen gassiness or bloat.
• Minimizing your exposure to stressful conditions or learn how to cope
• Take prescription drugs per their guidelines
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Eat your food slowly
• Don’t skip any meal and eat at the same time all the days
• Consume oat-based food to minimize gas in your stomach.
• Avoid sorbitol, which is common in diet foods, chewing gums, and sugar-free sweets as it causes diarrhea.
• Drink enough water.

Medication

It’s the last line of treatment in IBS cases. Doctors activate the medication part once the lifestyle changes and therapeutic interventions fail. IBS medication includes the following:

• Tricyclic antidepressant (TCAs) to reduce cramping and abdominal pain.
• Antimotility medicine like loperamide for diarrhea. It reduces the contraction of your intestinal muscles.
• Laxatives to relieve constipation.
• Antispasmodic medication to reduce pain and abdominal cramping. It does so by relaxing the gut muscles.
• Lubiprostone (Amitiza) to deal with IBS constipation in women
• Alosetron (Lotronex) for severe IBS diarrhea among women.

Conclusion

IBS is classified as a functional gut disorder. The reason,  there’s no sign of disease after clinical tests.

However, IBS symptoms affect the quality of your life. It’s, therefore, advisable to visit a competent doctor. The doctor helps diagnose IBS while ruling out other conditions that mimic IBS.

After diagnosis, managing and treating IBS becomes easier. The doctor will advise on possible lifestyle changes to make. If nothing is forthcoming, they’ll prescribe the best medicine to manage the condition.