Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long- term condition affecting the small and large bowel. It causes pain and discomfort and altered bowel habit.

It can affect anyone but most people experience their first symptoms between the ages of 15-40.

Symptoms
Most people’s symptoms are so mild they don’t bother to see a doctor about them.
•    Abdominal cramps
•    Bloating
•    Diarrhoea, or alternating diarrhoea with constipation
•    Urgent need to open bowels
•    Mucous in the stools
•    A feeling that bowels haven’t been completely emptied
•    Excess wind
•    Nausea, vomiting and indigestion

Cause
The exact cause is not known.
•    Symptoms are thought to be caused by muscle contractions in the bowel wall.
•    Intolerance of specific foods (such as tea, coffee and dairy products) may trigger the symptoms
•    IBS sometimes develops after a bout of gastroenteritis
•    Stress may trigger it

Investigations
Doctors generally diagnose IBS after hearing someone describe their symptoms. However, sometimes they may wish to do blood tests or further investigations.

Treatment

Self help
•    Try and identify triggers and avoid irritants e.g. caffeine, alcohol, sorbitol
•    If constipated it is important to increase fibre in the diet
•    If bloating or wind is a problem the cutting out gas-producing foods such as beans may help.
•    Drink plenty of fluids
•    Regular moderate exercise helps maintain bowel habit

Over the Counter remedies
•    If diarrhoea – Imodium on an intermittent basis may help
•    If constipation – a bulk forming laxative e.g. Fybogel
•    If pain and wind – an antispasmodic such as Colofac (mebeverine hydrochloride) may help

If self help treatments don’t work please see your doctor

Source: Bupa Health Information