Ibs Symptoms And Treatment
Even though it is not talked about a lot, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is not life-threatening. Although, it can still make life uncomfortable for a person. Close to 45 million Americans suffer from the condition, with a majority of them being women.
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The one thing that makes the disease harder to treat is that there are no simple tests to determine whether one has the disease. Knowing about the symptoms is the first step to one determining if they might have it. Here is everything you need to know about IBS.
Symptoms of IBS
The symptoms of IBS will vary from one person to another. One thing that stays constant is that these symptoms persist over time.
The most common symptoms of IBS are:
- Changes in bowel movement
- Changes in the type of stool you have
- Cramping, abdominal pain, or bloating, especially after eating food
- Constipation
- Constipation alternating with diarrhea
- Food intolerance
- Increased flatulence
- Violent episodes of diarrhea
- Poop with mucus
- Heartburn and indigestion
Something with all these symptoms is they could be any disease. It makes it hard for anyone to pinpoint the cause of the symptoms they might be having. The one thing you can do when you have all these symptoms is to consult a doctor. They are better placed to diagnose you with IBS.
Tests Are Done to Determine if You Have IBS
There is no specific test done on a patient to determine if they have IBS. The doctors determine if you have it by carrying out various tests to rule out other diseases. Here are some of the tests your doctor is likely to run on you:
- Stool studies: doing this helps the doctor check to see if your intestines are not taking in enough nutrients.
- Colonoscopy: the doctor does this to check if there are any issues with your colon.
- X-ray and CT scan: these are done to rule out possible hemorrhaging or any broken bones, especially if you keep complaining of abdominal pain.
- Upper endoscopy: the doctor will insert a tube down your throat and take a sample of your small intestine and fluid to check for bacteria growth.
- Lactose intolerance test: If you are allergic to milk and its products, your body will react the same way it would if you have IBS. Apart from the test, the doctor might recommend cutting down on milk and milk products to see how your body reacts.
- Breath test: a breath test is done to see bacterial growth in your small intestine. Bacteria growth is more prevalent in people who have had surgery.
Once the doctor has ruled out all the other conditions, they can diagnose you with IBS. With a proper diagnosis, you can be giving the right treatment plan.
Treatment Options for IBS
Treatment for IBS is mainly aimed at reducing the discomfort you feel. Whatever treatment plan you might get will be based on the intensity of your symptoms. The doctor can recommend two main ways for IBS treatment. These are diet changes and medication. Let us look at both of them and see what they entail.
Change in Diet
If you have IBS, you will most likely have an issue with most of the food you eat. Changing your diet will ensure that whatever food you take has little to minimum impact on your stomach. It will go a long way to ensure that you are comfortable, especially after meals. Here are some of the changes you might have to make on your diet if you are diagnosed with IBS:
- Cut down on caffeine and caffeinated drinks
- Add more fiber to your food as it aids in digestion and reduces constipation
- Drink more water, up to 4 glasses daily
- Eat smaller meals frequent instead of bigger inconsistent meals
- Find out which foods trigger your IBS and cut them from your diet
Even with cutting down on the food you eat, there are times when the situation is so dire that you have to take medication alongside a diet change. All this will work together to ensure that you do not get any complications whenever you have a meal.
Medication
Your doctor might recommend taking medication based on the symptoms you present from IBS. The medication might change from time to time, and if you get better, the chances are that you might come off the drugs. The one thing you need to remember with this condition is, treatment might take a while to work properly. You need to be patient and follow through with the medication you are given. The doctor might prescribe the following medications to you:
- Fiber supplements: taking supplements will help ensure that your constipation issues are dealt with.
- Laxatives: in situations where the fiber supplements do not work, the doctor might recommend using laxatives. Be careful with these, though, because overusing them might lead to explosive diarrhea.
- Anti-diarrhea medication: if you have bouts of diarrhea, there is medication to help deal with that. The doctor can prescribe these to you, or you can get them over the counter.
- Anti-depressants: IBS can be caused by depression, and if the doctor finds out that you might be depressed, they can recommend medication to help deal with the depression.
- Pain medication: if you suffer from abdominal pain and cramping, there are pain meds you can take to help ease that discomfort.
There is also medication like alosetron used to slow down the movement of waste through your lower bowel. The doctor might recommend it for you if they realize you are not absorbing enough nutrients.
Being diagnosed with IBS does not mean you cannot live your life to the fullest. All you need to do is figure out what your triggers are and how to deal with them. With a change in diet and a few medications, you are on your way to leading a normal life just like everyone else.
Author: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice regarding health or finances. It is not intended to endorse any individual or company. This article is AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should consult a qualified professional for personal advice.
