About irritable bowel syndrome

If you suffer from a combination of symptoms such as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, there’s a chance you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome or (IBS). IBS is also sometimes called spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a problem that affects mainly the bowel, also known as the large intestine. The bowel is the part of the digestive system that makes and stores stool. In IBS, the movement of the bowel is impaired, although doctors find nothing wrong with its physical structure. IBS is neither a bowel disease, nor the result of a bowel obstruction. Rather, it’s believed that symptoms of IBS have to do with abnormal muscle contractions somewhere along the intestine.

The word “Syndrome” in the name Irritable Bowel Syndrome refers to the fact that IBS causes “a group of symptoms,” named above.

If you suffer from IBS, you’re not alone. Up to 20% of the population IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Less than half of IBS sufferers see a doctor, as most people are uncomfortable talking about conditions like bloating and gas. Yet, it’s been estimated that IBS accounts for more than one out of every 10 doctor visits.

What brings on an IBS symptom or symptoms? In many people the condition seems like it’s triggered in relation to stress or eating. Managing stress and changing the diet are the main treatments for the condition. IBS medication can be used over the short term if symptoms get so severe that a person’s daily routine is interrupted. People also look for an IBS recipe for foods that help manage the condition. You can find a recipe for Irritable Bowel Syndrome on this site, under the IBS recipe section.

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Sources:

• http://my.webmd.com/search/search_results?query=Irritable+Bowel+Syndrome&filter=mywebmd_all_filter
• http://www.aboutibs.org/
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00106&
• http://www.helpforibs.com/
• http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs_ez/
• http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/CVMHighLight?file=/mrkshared/mmanual/section3/chapter32/32a.jsp%3Fregion%3Dmerckcom&word=IBS&domain=www.merck.com#hl_anchor