irritable bowel

Irritable bowel syndrome

IBS can cause repeated long-term bouts of pain

Irritable bowel sydrome (IBS) is a condition which causes pain and misery to millions of people worldwide.
However, it remains something of a mystery to medical science.
What is it?
As the name suggests, IBS is a disorder which affects the lower digestive tract.
The contents of the bowel are moved along by a rhythmic tightening and relaxation of the muscles of the intestinal wall - a process called peristalsis.
It appears that peristalsis is stronger and more frequent in people with IBS.
This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including regular abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation.
Who gets it?
The condition is thought to affect up to one in five of the population.
However, it may be even more common because it is thought that many people never seek a medical opinion.
It is particuarly common among people aged 20 to 30, and twice as common in women than men.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of IBS are:

• Repeated abdominal pains and tenderness
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• A bloated feeling
• Headache

Other symptoms can include:

• Burping
• Bad breath
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• A sense of incomplete emptying after going to the toilet

What causes IBS?
Nobody knows for sure.
Scientists believe that part of the problem is likely to be a fault in the way that the body uses serotonin, a chemical which coordinates contractions of the muscles.
The bowel can over-react to all sorts of things, including food, exercise and hormones.
There is evidence to suggest the condition may be related to stress in some people. Up to 60% of IBS patients show signs of anxiety or depression.
In some instances, the condition develops after a gastrointestinal infection.
There may also be a link to increased sensitivity or intolerance to certain foods.
How is IBS diagnosed?
Pinning down the condition can be difficult, and sometimes IBS is only considered after other conditions have been ruled out.
Tests which may be carried out include X-rays, and an endoscopy, in which a thin tube housing a camera is inserted into the bowel.
Doctors sometimes work on the rule of thumb that a patient must have suffered significant abdominal pains for at least 12 weeks in the last 12 months, along with two of the following three symptoms:

• Pain which is relieved by defecation
• Pain associated with a change in the frequency of bowel movement
• A change in the form of the stool

Is there any treatment?
A healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and lots of water is a good idea.
Avoiding certain foods and drink can also help. These include: spicy and fatty foods, gas producing vegetables, such as beans, alcohol, tea and coffee.
Several drugs can help:

• Antispasmodics can slow contractions in the bowel, which helps with diarrheoa and pain.
• Laxatives can tackle constipation

There also is some evidence that complementary therapies such as acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine may be helpful.
For some relaxation techniques, and hypnosis may be useful.