Winter Skin Conditions of Psoriasis and Ichthyosis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, long-term condition of the digestive system. It can cause bouts of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and/or constipation. IBS is thought to affect up to 1 in 5 people at some point in their life, and it usually first develops when a person is between 20 and 30 years of age. Around twice as many women are affected as men. The condition is often life long, although it may improve over several years.

         Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Others go back and forth between the two. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines. IBS is common. It affects about twice as many women as men and is most often found in people younger than 45 years. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for it. Your doctor may run tests to be sure you don't have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests, and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, probiotics, and medicine.

What causes IBS?

Doctors aren’t sure what causes IBS. Experts think that a combination of problems may lead to IBS. Different factors may cause IBS in different people.

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as IBS are problems with brain-gut interaction—how your brain and gut work together. Experts think that problems with brain-gut interaction may affect how your body works and cause IBS symptoms. For example, in some people with IBS, food may move too slowly or too quickly through the digestive tract, causing changes in bowel movements. Some people with IBS may feel pain when a normal amount of gas or stool is in the gut.

Certain problems are more common in people with IBS. Experts think these problems may play a role in causing IBS. These problems include

·         stressful or difficult early life events, such as physical or sexual abuse

·         certain mental disorders, such as depression , anxiety , and somatic symptom disorder 

·         bacterial infections in your digestive tract

·         small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, an increase in the number or a change in the type of bacteria in your small intestine

·         food intolerances or sensitivities, in which certain foods cause digestive symptoms

What are the symptoms of IBS?

The symptoms of IBS may vary from person to person. Symptoms tend to come and go over time, and often last for several days or weeks. There may be times when symptoms are worse than others.

Common trigger symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include:

● Stress: Most people suffering from IBS go through frequent or worse symptoms and signs during the time of increased stress. But stress doesn’t cause them, it may aggravate them.

● Hormones: Hormonal changes play a big role, therefore, women are more likely said to have IBS. Research states that the symptoms and signs are worse during a woman’s menstrual cycle. It’s advisable to use herbal remedies to cure IBS.

● Food: Many people have bad IBS signs when they drink or eat certain beverage or foods, including cabbage, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, dairy products, wheat, and milk. The role of food intolerance and food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome isn’t fully understood.

The Other Serious Symptoms And Signs Include:

● Difficulty swallowing

● Iron deficiency anemia

● Weight loss

● Rectal bleeding

● Unexplained vomiting

● Persistent pain that isn’t relieved by bowel moment or passing gas

● Diarrhoea in night

● Nausea

● Blood/ mucus in stools

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Usually, with a few basic changes in diet and activities, IBS will improve over time. Here are some tips to help reduce symptoms:

• Avoid caffeine (in coffee, teas, and sodas).
• Add more fiber to your diet with foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts.
• Drink at least three to four glasses of water per day.
• Don't smoke.
• Learn to relax, either by getting more exercise or by reducing stress in your life.
• Limit how much milk or cheese you eat.
• Eat smaller meals more often instead of big meals.
• Keep a record of the foods you eat so you can figure out which foods bring on bouts of IBS.

Common food "triggers" are red peppers, green onions, red wine, wheat, and cow's milk. If you're concerned about getting enough calcium, you can try to get it from other foods, like broccoli, spinach, turnip greens, tofu, yogurt, sardines, salmon with bones, calcium-fortified orange juice, and bread, or calcium supplements.