Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a gastro-intestinal condition that causes abdominal pain and discomfort associated with a change of frequency or consistency of stools. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is also known as spastic colon, spastic colitis and mucous colitis. It is a long-term but manageable disease and is one of the most common ailments of the bowels. In fact, it affects approximately 15% of U.S. adults.

The Disease

It is important to understand that IBS is a functional disease. Research has concluded that Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or as it is more commonly known, IBS, is a disorder of the brain-gut regulation. You cannot see the abnormalities in a microscope or with the naked eye. Instead, the muscles or the nerves are simply not functioning properly.

Fortunately, IBS does not worsen over time – nor is it a gateway disease that leads to worse conditions. What you have is what you get.

The Symptoms

IBS mostly affects the transportation of food throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of slowed transportation are nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating and enlargement.

Rapid transportation is usually displayed in diarrhea. However, your body will detect this and try to slow it – this usually results in nausea and bloating after the diarrhea.

Other symptoms include vomiting, mucous in the stools, and even a sense that the bowels have not been completely emptied. In many cases, symptoms are mild enough that people do not see a doctor. For others, however, the symptoms are more severe.

Treating IBS

For some people, the treatment is medication. For others, it may be a change in handling stress or another lifestyle change. For still others, it may be avoiding certain foods, such as high fat foods, dairy products, or sugars to prevent episodes. It may take a while to find the right combination to manage IBS, but it is essential that the patient and the doctor work together carefully to find this balance.

Find additional ways to alleviate your symptoms of IBS here.