IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
What is the Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder
which can cause troublesome and persistent symptoms. These
vary greatly from person to person, but usually include
cramping discomfort, a feeling of fullness or bloating,
and a change or disruption of bowel habit. This can range
from constipation (difficult or infrequent passage of a
motion) to diarrhoea (frequent or loose motions and an urgent
need to go), or can alternate between the two.
Irritable bowel syndrome is not:
- Hereditary, although other members of the family may
have similar symptoms;
- Food allergy, although some patients find they are intolerant
of particular foods;
- "all in the mind", even though test results
may be normal;
An infection, although it may have been triggered by an
initial attack of gastro- enteritis;
- Bowel inflammation, as in the case of ulcerative colitis
or Crohn’s disease;
- Caused by ulcers, gallstones, cancer or other more serious
digestive diseases, although some patients with these
conditions may have some symptoms in common with IBS at
some stage.
- Abdominal pain, which is often colicky in nature. It
may be felt anywhere in the abdomen, but is often low
down on the left. Many patients find their pain is worse
when constipated, and it may be relieved by opening the
bowels or passing flatus (wind from the back passage).
In women there may be a pattern associated with their
periods.
- Fullness and bloating, making clothes feel tight and
uncomfortable and sometimes associated with rumbling noises
and flatulence (wind). The abdomen may feel tender. Belching
and passing wind through the back passage can ease this.
Nausea can occur but vomiting is not usually a feature
of IBS.
- Alteration in bowel habit, which may be constipation,
diarrhoea or an alternation between the two. Bowel habit
varies enormously between individuals, though most people
have their own pattern. The change in bowel habit may
be in the frequency of action, the form of the motions,
or associated urgency (rushing to go). There may be some
discomfort or difficulty in opening the bowels. A sensation
of incomplete emptying is common. Ineffectual straining
to pass a motion (tenesmus) and a sharp pain felt low
down inside the back passage (proctalgia fugax) are also
common. Incontinence can occasionally occur, causing great
embarrassment and anxiety.
These guidelines were produced in association with the
British Society of Gastroenterology - The Professional Society
for Gastroenterologists.
Information Courtesy of:
Digestive Disorders Foundation
For Further information visit the website:
www.digestivedisorders.org.uk
The Digestive Disorders Foundation is the only UK charity
which supports research into the cause, prevention and treatment
of all digestive disorders. Among those we seek to help
are sufferers of disorders such as digestive cancers, ulcers,
irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis,
diverticulitis, gall-stones, liver disease and pancreatitis.
Introduction to the disabilities
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