Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects your digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It causes symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, or both. If you have been experiencing such symptoms for a long time, you may have IBS, and you should visit a gastroenterologist for irritable bowel syndrome treatment in Hyderabad.
IBS is a chronic (long-term) condition with symptoms that come and go over time, lasting for days, weeks, or months at a time. However, the condition does not cause structural damage to your GI tract or increase your risk of more serious conditions.
Since it is a lifelong problem, it can be very frustrating to live with and can have a significant impact on your daily life. IBS has no cure, but the symptoms can be managed by taking medications, changing the diet, and receiving behavioral therapy.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of IBS can differ from person to person and may resemble symptoms of other conditions. The most common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal swelling or bloating
- The feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
- Passing Mucus during bowel movements
Research suggests that IBS symptoms can differ between men and women. Women tend to experience more constipation, while men tend to experience more diarrhea.
IBS Flare-Up Symptoms
A flare or flare-up refers to periods when symptoms worsen. Flare-ups can occur immediately after a meal or take longer in some individuals. During a flare-up, individuals may experience many of the same symptoms mentioned above. To prevent flare-ups, it’s important to seek irritable bowel syndrome treatment in Hyderabad as early as possible.
Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The exact cause of IBS is not known, but it is classified as a neurogastrointestinal (GI) disorder. These conditions occur due to issues in the coordination between your gut and your brain to help your digestive system work. This communication problem can lead to:
- Dysmotility: Problems with how the muscles in your GI tract contract and move food. In IBS, the colon muscles may contract excessively, causing cramps and pain. Visceral hypersensitivity: Your GI tract may have hypersensitive nerves. People with IBS have a lower pain tolerance than those who do not. Your digestive tract may be extremely sensitive to pain or discomfort.
Other potential factors that may cause IBS include:
- Gut bacteria: Altered bacteria in the GI tract may play a role in IBS symptoms.
- Severe infections: Some people develop IBS after a severe bacterial infection or a parasitic infection (giardiasis) of the intestines.
- Food intolerance: Sensitivities or allergies to certain foods may also be to IBS.
- Childhood stress: IBS is more common in individuals who experience severe stressors in childhood, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Triggers
Certain factors can trigger or worsen IBS symptoms, although they don’t cause the condition itself. Common triggers include:
- Periods: Symptoms may worsen predictably according to the menstrual cycle.
- Certain foods: Triggers vary, but common culprits include dairy, gluten-containing foods (like wheat), and gas-inducing foods/drinks.
- Stress: Some researchers suggest that IBS may be a gut response to stress. Thus, the condition is sometimes called “nervous stomach” or “anxious stomach.”
Risk Factors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS often occurs in the late teens to early 40s, and women are up to twice as likely to be diagnosed. Other risk factors include:
- Infection of the digestive system.
- Intolerance to certain foods.
- History of abuse.
- Diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Individuals with chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic pelvic pain, are also at a high risk of developing IBS.
When To See a Doctor
Consult a gastroenterologist for irritable bowel syndrome treatment in Hyderabad if you have a persistent change in bowel habits or more serious symptoms such as:
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss
- Diarrhoea at night
- Unexplained vomiting
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Pain that persists after passing gas or having a bowel movement
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