Things You Should Know about IBS
December 5th, 2011
What do you do when you wake up each morning?
I say a little prayer of thanks for having had a good night’s sleep and the chance to see another sunrise. Then I go to the toilet for my early morning ritual.
There are days, however, when the prayers would be more appropriate after using the toilet. When (and there are so many people with the same problem), it would require the effort of a weightlifter to dispose of the previous day’s waste.
When after all the huffing and puffing, with sweat running down my forehead, only a trickle, if ever, comes out of my bowel though I still feel full in my stomach.
Conversely, there are days when my stomach feels like being twisted like a knot, and my bowel is discharging like a never-ending stream.
If you have a recurring experience like this, chances are that you have the IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
What is IBS?
IBS is a disorder commonly manifested by stomach cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
Though it does not result to permanent and serious harm to the intestines, it can give severe discomfort and distress. It is never nice to make a mad rush to a toilet when you are outdoors or engaged in an important task.
IBS is fairly common. According to estimates by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, roughly one in five Americans suffer from IBS, making it the most common disorder in a physician’s clinic.
IBS affects women more than men and 50% of the people affected by it are around the age of 35 onwards.
What causes IBS?
Despite its being such a common disorder, researchers are still facing a blank wall re its specific cause.
For now, have possibilities such as:
- Sensitivity and reaction to some foods and stress;
- Irregular movement of the colon;
- Bacterial infection;
- Abnormal functioning of the immune system.
How would you know if you have IBS?
When something is wrong with my car’s internals, I have it checked by a qualified and certified mechanic. You can do less with your body’s internals.
If you feel something is wrong inside, check in with your doctor. The following is a rough guide when to do so:
- Abdominal pains, bloating and discomfort that won’t go away with your ordinary laxatives;
- Frequent occurrence of constipation;
- Frequent diarrhea;
- Alternating and long-running diarrhea and constipation;
Constipation is often induced by the type of food we eat and insufficient liquid intake.
Diarrhea, on the other hand, can be induced by bacteria in the food we eat, stress and allergy.
If one or both persists for long periods of time, or goes away and comes back, a medical check up is needed.
IBS is a disorder affecting the normal functioning of the colon. Though it is common and has never shown to result to more serious illnesses of the digestive system, you must have it checked by your physician.
Anything that affects the colon should not be taken lightly.
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