ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
06.09.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Author: Sarah Munn Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 03-04-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 8 | Rating:  (50) Article Popularity - Green (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, affects an estimated 15-20% of the population today, which is more than depression, diabetes, and asthma combined. This troubling condition that is physical in nature rather than psychological is characterized by a series of symptoms generally occurring in the lower abdominal region. These symptoms can be considered mild, moderate, or severe although the intensity is likely to vary, even from day to day, in the same person.

IBS, a disorder which is most commonly diagnosed by gastroenterologists, affects people of all ages and ethnicities. However, women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to experience the condition, although researchers are still unsure as to why. IBS in women is often associated with their menstrual cycle, although it can occur at any time.

“Irritable bowel” refers to disturbances or changes in regular bowel function, and the word “syndrome” indicates that there are a number of signs rather than one exclusive symptom that characterizes the condition. While everyone may have an occasional disturbance of the bowel and its functioning from time to time, people afflicted with IBS experience more severe symptoms that are frequent and occur on a regular basis.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary in intensity and location, although the lower abdomen is where the most “activity” occurs. IBS is characterized by a series of symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, gas-like cramping, reoccurring or chronic diarrhea and changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel patterns. Nausea, bloating, gas, and constipation alternating with diarrhea are also commonly reported symptoms of IBS.

25-50% of IBS patients also report that they experience regular heartburn along with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Many people suffering with IBS also report a number of signs that are non-gastrointestinal in nature such as muscle pain, sexual dysfunction, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Lower backaches and headaches are also commonly reported symptoms from those with severe cases of IBS.

The symptoms of IBS are likely to mimic those of many other disorders, which is why a proper diagnosis by a physician is essential. Clinical tests that depend on factors such as your age, overall health, your family history, as well as your reoccurring symptoms can be conducted to rule out other conditions. Symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, and continual pain are NOT signs of IBS and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.

The signs or symptoms of IBS occur due to a disturbance in function between the brain and the gastrointestinal system, which is why IBS is classified as a “functional” disorder. People suffering from the condition appear to have no physical signs of disease such as structural abnormalities that can be detected by medical tests.

Experts believe that there is a disorder or some form of miscommunication between the interactions of the brain and the intestinal system, which ultimately affects movement and the sensitivity of nerves in the intestines in people with IBS. The brain and the autonomic nervous system are responsible for regulating the bowel and its functioning which is one of the ways we know that IBS is not a psychological or psychiatric disorder.

While there is no cure for IBS, there are a number of effective ways of controlling or even eliminating the symptoms of the condition such as diet, stress management, herbal and organic supplements, hypnosis and drug therapy including laxatives, anti-diarrheals, anti-spasmodic drugs and anti-depressants. With proper diagnosis and treatment it is possible to lead a normal, productive life even with IBS.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/get-the-facts-on-irritable-bowel-syndrome-126078.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

For more information on irritable bowel syndrome visit Conquer IBS -- a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources on alleviating IBS symptoms through proper dieting.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Ibs - How Cleaning Your Body From Toxins Can Help With Your Ibs Symptoms
By: Hilde Coggan | 05/04/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
When I was younger I had some abdominal problems. Today you would say I have the irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. If felt bloated after every meal. I tried almost everything. Probiotics helped a little and fibre products made me even more constipated.

Herbal Remedies For IBS
By: Susan Reynolds | 27/03/2007 | Health
The right support group can not only help you cope with IBS, it can also provide you with plenty of information about the condition, as well as open your mind to alternative treatments you may not have considered. For instance, many IBS sufferers find that herbal remedies help them manage...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - What Causes It?
By: David Cowgill | 29/03/2006 | Health
No one seems to know why one person could have Irritable Bowel Syndrome and not another. Symptoms cannot be traced to a single organic cause. Research suggests that people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome seem to have a colon that is more sensitive and react

Is There An Irritable Bowel Syndrome Cure?
By: Susan Reynolds | 05/06/2007 | Health
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by diarrhea and constipation (or sometimes both), abdominal cramping, pain and discomfort. There is no specific cause for the condition and it is thought to stem from a number of potential factors from micro-organism invasion to an unhealthy...

IBS Treatment - What Are The Options?
By: James Woolley | 18/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome to give it it's full name, is a condition affecting the bowel and intestines that is said to affect around 1 in 5 people at some point in their life. It can be an extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing condition but although it cannot be cured completely, there are ways you can treat the disease.

3 Things Crohns & Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Sufferers Must Do
By: Steve Holloway | 21/07/2006 | Health
It is said that nearly one in four Americans suffers from some kind of digestive disorder such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohns Disease. Although medically recognized as incurable there is no need for sufferers of Crohns and IBS to give up hope.

Should You Be Concerned About Anxiety Irritable Bowel Syndrome Link?
By: Susan Reynolds | 25/04/2007 | Health
There are numerous symptoms of IBS and the anxiety irritable bowel syndrome link is one of the less discussed. The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) will be different from person to person. One of the most common symptoms is bowel dysfunction accompanied by abdominal discomfort or pain. ...

Is There An Irritable Bowel Syndrome Ovarian Cyst Connection?
By: Susan Reynolds | 05/06/2007 | Health
Understandably, there is a lot of concern among patients and physicians alike as they try to determine the mystery surrounding an irritable bowel syndrome ovarian cyst link. It is already a known fact that women are three times more likely to be effected by irritable bowel syndrome than men, but...

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

 sugar free honey or juices
By: din | 02-11-2007
Does sugar free honey or juices mean that their glucose has been replaced with chemical sugar alcohols and therefore their nutrition values have been reduced greatly?

Blueberry yogurt muffin recipe!
By: JenniferL | 30-10-2007
Help! I need a recipe for blueberry yogurt muffins made from scratch! (I had them in NY last year and I love them!)

Healthy foods for a soccer tournament.
By: newsoccermom | 29-10-2007
 What should I feed my child before, and inbetween games at a soccer tournament?

What should I order Domino's Pizza or Pizza Hut?
By: Will | 29-10-2007
What should I order Domino's Pizza or Pizza Hut?

Long shelf life milk?
By: Pammie | 29-10-2007
where can I buy irradiated milk produts?

Whats the best treat for Halloween?
By: Shima | 28-10-2007
While kids are trick or treating I want to treat them with the best sweets ever. I just love this holiday and I adore the little kids all dressed up . Anyways my question is , does anybody know what are the favorite treats the kids today like? Do they preffer chocalte or candy any ideas?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Health Articles

The Dreaded Back Pain
By: Mandy Chagger | 06/09/2008
The most dreaded back pain is lower back pain, which could be a symptom of various complications in the abdomen area.

Stress - Types, Causes and Cures (part Three)
By: Andrew Tomkinson | 06/09/2008
This article is part one of my article series 'Stress - types, causes and cures'. It is written in order to introduce you to the types and causes of stress and suggest possible cures.

What are Toxins and How Do I Get Rid of Them?
By: James Carden | 06/09/2008
Toxins are an integral part of our everyday lives. Pollution, pesticides, cigarettes, bad water and harmful cleaning products are only a few of the different sources of toxins that can cause our bodies to malfunction and that we come in contact with on a daily basis.

Sun Damage Prevention
By: John Russell | 06/09/2008
In our continuing efforts to maintain youthful skin, we cannot neglect what may be the one true beauty secret. Effective protection from the sun can prevent damage to the skin. Even without actual sunburn, exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer, and other generally weathering effects.

What Makes Smoke Inhalation Dangerous
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
Most would agree that it is not natural, but what really happens when smoke is inhaled?

Dealing With Menstrual Flooding
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
It is not a popular subject,but there are many that needs this information if you are having trouble in this area.

Treatments And Medications for ADHD
By: Paul Hata | 06/09/2008
There are mainly two types of treatment which is generally used to cure the ADHD types of treatment for ADHD; pharmacological and non-pharmacological. It is been found out in various studies that 70% to 80% children are benefited by the stimulant drugs.

How to Prevent Stomach Ache and Abdominal Pain
By: Robert Sifer | 05/09/2008
For stomachache in children, parents should notice habits and symptoms of their children. For adults, they also should notice themselves which food that they consume always cause stomach pain to them and try not to eat those food.

More from Sarah Munn

Basic Bearded Dragon Care Guidelines
By: Sarah Munn | 03/04/2007 | Pets
Bearded dragons are relatively simple to care for, as long as you know what you're doing! Read on for some basic guidelines that will teach you how to give your beardie the care he requires.

The Essentials of Proper Betta Fish Care
By: Sarah Munn | 22/03/2007 | Pets
Is the color from your Betta fish draining? Is he listless, or spending his days at the bottom of the tank? Chances are a few simple changes to your tank conditions could restore him to full health! Read on for some essential betta fish care tips. Your betta will thank you for it!

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below