Are you troubled by irritable and burniing sensation in the stomach? Do you feel the needd to rush to the toilet a bit too often? If the answer to these questions is a YES, then you are probably sufferiing from irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a treatable medical condition characterized by abdominal discomfort or pain. It is not life threateniing but symptoms overlap with those of intestinal diseases like colitis. Globally, 5-20% of the people suffer from IBS. Young adults between 20 and 40 years are more at risk because of sudden change in diet and lifestyle habits.
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain, often relieved by defecation or flatulence.
Diarrhea or constipation
Bloatiing or swelliing of abdomen.
Rumbliing noises and excessive flatulence.
Constant rush to go to toilet
Right-sided abdominal pain
Mucus in stool
Minor symptoms: indigestion, headache, nausea, frequent urination, fatigue, anxiety.
Causes:
Food poisoniing
Repeated/prolonged use of antibiotics
Stress
Caution:
Some patients cannot digest dairy products and certain food grains.
Alcohol, coffee, oily food and spices can aggravate symptoms
Symptoms worsen with stress, lack of sleep and duriing menstrual period.
Treatment:
Most patients dont require restrictive diets or too many medications.
Treatment consists of a simple diet and lifestyle adjustments, with medication for 6-12 weeks.
Fibre supplements help soften stools in constipation cases.
Precautions:
Those who develop abdominal pain and urge to go to the toilet after eatiing spicy foods or drinkiing coffee should avoid or redduce intake of those substances.
Pay attention to the effects for stress and lifestyle
Eat and sleep on time
Practice yoga and meditation
Discuss underlyiing reasons for anxiety.
