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Irritable Bowel SyndromeIdentifying Irritable Bowel Syndrome “I kept going to the toilet frequently than I used to; some days up to ten times. I do not always open my bowel, even though I feel I would. When I do, I only pass tiny hard stool or on some occasions, watery diarrhoea. This crampy abdominal pain is ruining my life. I cannot concentrate at work. I feel bloated most of the time. I am not confident to go out with my peers”
Do you suffer with irritable bowel syndrome?
Millions of people worldwide do. But what is irritable bowel syndrome?
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME EXPLAINED
Irritable bowel syndrome known as IBS for short, is a disorder of the gut’s function, without any demonstrable physical or structural problem. IBS is characterised by bouts of crampy abdominal pain, bloating, gas, passing of little hard stools (sometimes looking like pellets), alternating with diarrhoea.
Irritable bowel syndrome shares its signs and symptoms with a host of other physical medical conditions like celiac disease, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis, bowel cancer.
It is vital you see your doctor who will check you thoroughly before you can be sure to say you have this syndrome.
Most people who suffer from the disease are very normal people without any psychological problem. Thus it is a physical disease, but with no demonstrable problems.
It is not a psychological or psychiatric disease.
In some others, there are associated disturbances like anxiety, depression, and neurosis. These may be an effect, not the cause of the IBS. Often, because no physical condition can be pinned down for the symptoms exhibited, the patients are overlooked or not understood, creating lots of anxiety.
Irritable bowel syndrome is suffered by over 1 in 5 persons. Half of these do not seek medical help. 70% of those who do are mostly females. It is a disease that knows no race or age.
Many work hours have been lost because of this disorder. In severe cases, quality of life has been adversely affected too.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF IBS
Commonly, irritable bowel syndrome presents as a recurrent colicky or cramping abdominal pain more on the lower abdomen. Some are able to point to the left lower abdomen, even though the site is not constantly the same in everyone. Characteristically, the abdominal pain is relieved by defecation.
Feeling bloated in the tummy which worsens as the day goes by is common too. This is thought to be due to excessive bowel gas accumulating from the disordered intestinal movement. Bugs have enough time to act on the ingested food, with gas accumulating
Diarrhoea or constipation is frequent. Some have described the motion they pass as pellets and would not open their bowel more than three times in a week. Diarrhoea may be quite trouble some. Frequent bowel motion of up to 15 times in a day has been reported. This is what many find unacceptable, as it is very disruptive, especially if you have jobs that require total concentration and continuity.
The feeling of not having finished passing a motion may be associated. This is called tenesmus. It also occurs in other disease state, especially bowel cancer. That is why it is important you always see your doctor even if you feel your symptoms is due to IBS.
Some pass mucus in their stool, but thankfully, no blood.
Other symptoms common with irritable bowel syndrome includes poor sleep, backache, and even pain during intercourse.
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