Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) makes the human gut really sensitive to everything. If you are continuously suffering from abdominal pain or cramps, constipation, or Diarrhea or both of them, the issue of excessive gas then you might be suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This syndrome affects the rectum and its cause is still not much known. Although, it is said to be triggered by certain medicines, food, or stress. IBS is completely a different type of disorder that does not cause any permanent damage to your digestive system. But it is often frustrating for a persons’ social, physical, or mental/ emotional health. The thing of big relief here is that Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD) and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome are absolutely different things. IBD can lead to the risk of Colorectal Cancer whereas, IBS really does not relate to the disease. So, never confuse between the duo.
Signs and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
To give you clear picture about noticing IBS here are some of the prime symptoms of this disorder:
- Frequent pain in Abdomen
- Cramping or bloating
- Excessive gas formation
- Diarrhea or constipation, or both (alternatively)
But let us tell you that there are certain other things that may include in IBS as the syndrome itself is of 4 types.
- IBS-D: in this syndrome, you may need to go to the toilet urgently due to loose of stool. This can be followed by chronic stomach pain or cramps.
- IBS-C: here, you will feel the need to go to the toilet but there will be an inability to move the bowel. So, you just can’t do it.
- IBS-mixed: this may be a little more difficult to handle as it incorporates both, Diarrhea and constipation alternatively.
- IBS-you will certainly don’t want to face it ever. This syndrome is very unspecified and has absolutely irregular pattern.
Causes and Risk Factors of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
There is no evidence in any research that gives strong reason for IBS but according to some speculations it is said that there are certain foods stress and some signals exchange between the gut and brain that may trigger these symptoms.
The Brain and Gut Connection
There are a lot of nerve cells present in the lining of the GI tract. It is nearly the second brain in the human body which is known as the enteric nervous system. Basically, this whole process tells your bowel when to secrete fluids, contract or move. It is said that your brain and gut communicate through this nerve network.
Judith Scheman, PhD, the director of behavioral medicine at Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute in Ohio says “When we define our feelings, we tend to say that we feel sickened or nauseated, or [it is] gut-wrenching, which makes sense since our emotions seem to occur from our gut”.
On the other hand, some of the experts say that this may be due to the glitch in brain-gut communication. Whenever we are stress or tired our body may react differently. Some people may suffer from constipation or Diarrhea while others may have headaches or back pain. Everything depends on the connection between the brain and the gut.
Imbalanced Bacteria in the Gut
One of the most prominent reasons for IBS can be the imbalance of bacteria. There are millions of microbes the gut where the bacteria help the immune system and support it against potent infection. The stomach flu can affect bacterial balance in your gut. In fact, according to a review published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, it is said that the possibilities of emerging IBS augmented sixfold after an occurrence of gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Although this isn’t proved yet some experts speculate that impairment to the nerves in the gut causes IBS symptoms to develop.
However, there are other studies suggest that IBS could trigger due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It is a state where a large quantity of bacteria shifts to the small intestine and leads to bloating, stomach pain, and excessive gas. A review published in March 2017 in the journal Gut and Liver found that 4 to 78 percent of people with IBS also had SIBO. Although, it is yet not clear that what is the relationship between both condition but antibiotics have helped to reduce symptoms.
Risk Factors for IBS
There is no defined age of IBS but it is observed that people younger than the age of 50 tend to develop the symptom more. This tendency may develop in you if there is a family history, stressful lifestyle or acute abdominal infections.
a study published in June 2014 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone fluctuation during the menstrual cycle, also reside in the digestive tract and can contribute to IBS flare-ups. This means that women tend to be suffering from IBS more than men.
Some studies say that people with IBS may face severe mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Potential Triggers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
As different people suffer different type of IBS similarly the triggers may also vary. There may be many reasons for you to suffer from IBS. Some of the most prominent and commonly observed triggers may include:
- Particular food cuisine or ingredient may be responsible. In fact, dairy products, brussels sprouts, broccoli, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, certain fruits can trigger IBS in different people.
- Stressful lifestyle: this cannot be said a direct reason of trigger but studies support that it may intensify symptoms and lead them to be severe and regular.
- Hormones: it is said that estrogen may stimulatesome functions related to the digestive tract. This may include bowel movements and the immune system roles in the gut.
It may take few more studies to ensure the exact reason behind IBS but there are some effectual methods to manage them always.
Modifying Your Diet
People who frequently suffer from IBS may find it difficult to identify the food that triggers the issue. In this case, if you keep track of food you had just before the symptom can help you identify your trigger. In future, you can avoid food like that.
If you follow a low-FODMAP(fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet then it can certainly help you to ease symptoms. These are poorly digested carbohydrates that lead to issues like gas, bloating and Diarrhea. This diet suggests stopping taking food that contains lactose that is generally found in dairy products. The list of avoidable food also includes apple, pear and cherries. Talking about vegetables then broccoli, cauliflower, beans, and mints are a big no for intake. In fact, you should also avoid sugar-free gums.
You can also work with your doctor, dietitian, or nutritionist to identify the correct diet that can help you stop these symptoms. Peppermint oil, probiotics, and some other related supplements can be helpful against these symptoms.
Prevention of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS cannot be averted but there are certain lifestyle changes that can reduce the IBS trigger and its severity. Even some dietary changes can help you a lot to stop IBS. Depending on the type of your IBS you should absolutely avoid food that can produce gas in the body the list includes
- Carbonated beverages
- Raw fruit
- Gluten rich food
- Cruciferous vegetables
- FODMAP
Related Conditions and Causes of IBS
Recent research in the brain-gut connection has broken the stigma that bad mood (often termed as anxiety or depression) leads to worsened IBS condition. Actually, the Gut-Brain connection can also go another way round. Even an irritated gut can send signals to the central nervous system that can also lead to mood change.
Even stress can worsen the IBS. When you are in physical or emotional stress certain neurotransmitters in the brain get activated that sends pain signals to the gut. This process can make your IBS symptom even shoddier. Additionally, there are researches that prove that fibromyalgia (a chronic pain disorder) may also affect IBS.
Some people confuse IBD to IBS. Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) is completely different from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is very common in people than the ratio of IBD patients. IBS is not as fatal or damaging as IBD. There are around 12 percent population of America suffering from IBS and only around 1.3 percent of people are affected by IBD. The IBD patient may need hospitalization or surgery as it can lead to inflamed or ulcerated linings of the intestine. This causes permanent damage to the digestive tract over a period of time. This condition is categorized as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Whereas, IBS is not permanently damaging any of your organ.