Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is becoming more prevalent in the United States today. Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, is a common digestive disorder that affects millions of Americans, and millions more are diagnosed with it every day. Gastro doctors in Flushing recommend screenings, which may include colonoscopies, for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders.
Definition of IBS
IBS affects the large intestine, or the colon. It is a digestive disorder that commonly causes abdominal symptoms such as abdominal bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal cramping. IBS is a chronic condition, meaning it will likely last long-term and will need to be managed on an ongoing basis.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of IBS may show up differently from one patient to the next. They can present as the same symptoms of other digestive disorders. These symptoms include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, and mucus in the stool. Bouts of IBS can cause several of these symptoms, and symptoms can sometimes get better or completely disappear. In some cases, more serious symptoms can occur, such as rectal bleeding, weight loss, or progressive abdominal pain. In these cases, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Causes and risk factors
Although the causes of IBS are not clear, there are risk factors that can contribute, as well as triggers that can cause bouts of the disease in patients who have it. Certain foods may cause symptoms. Some foods can cause an intolerance or an allergy in IBS patients. These include milk, carbonated beverages, alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods, fatty foods, beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and some fruits. Stress can be another factor which leads to a bout of IBS in someone who has already been diagnosed with it. Periods of increased stress in life or big life changes can aggravate IBS symptoms. Stress typically is not considered a cause of IBS.
There are risk factors that make some people more likely to develop IBS than others. Young people under the age of 45 actually tend to develop IBS more often than those over 45. Additionally, women are twice as likely to develop IBS than men because hormonal changes are believed to be a factor. Having a family history of the disease is also a risk factor. Additionally, having a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, or even a childhood history of sexual abuse or a history of domestic abuse can also be factors.
Diagnosis
Oftentimes, testing is done to diagnose digestive problems, including possible IBS. A colonoscopy, which is a colon cancer screening, may be performed in patients over the age of 50 who are experiencing signs or symptoms of IBS, especially since these symptoms can mimic signs of other gastrointestinal diseases such as colon cancer. A flexible sigmoidoscopy may be performed. This is a test which examines the lower part of the colon, or the sigmoid, with a sigmoidoscope (a flexible, lighted tube). Your doctor may recommend an x-ray or CT scan to obtain images of your colon or internal organs. Additionally, a lower GI series may be done. This is a test in which your doctor will use barium to fill your colon in order to see x-ray images more clearly.
Management and treatment
Symptom relief typically is the recommendation for the management of IBS, especially because it is unclear what causes it. Your doctor will likely recommend that you eliminate foods with a high gas content, as these can cause abdominal bloating, cramping, and flatulence. These foods include cabbage, raw fruits, cauliflower, and broccoli. Additionally, your doctor may recommend that you eliminate gluten from your diet. Gluten, which is an adhesive mixture of plant proteins that is used as a substitute for flour, has been shown in research studies to lead to abdominal symptoms such as abdominal bloating and diarrhea. Often, people who are sensitive to foods that contain gluten report their symptoms improving or clearing up altogether with the elimination of gluten from their diets. Fiber supplements such as psyllium may also be recommended, as well as over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications for further symptom relief.
If you are a resident of Flushing who is experiencing any of the signs related to IBS or any other digestive disorder, contact a gastroenterology doctor to make an appointment to have your symptoms evaluated.
Definition of IBS
IBS affects the large intestine, or the colon. It is a digestive disorder that commonly causes abdominal symptoms such as abdominal bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal cramping. IBS is a chronic condition, meaning it will likely last long-term and will need to be managed on an ongoing basis.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of IBS may show up differently from one patient to the next. They can present as the same symptoms of other digestive disorders. These symptoms include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, and mucus in the stool. Bouts of IBS can cause several of these symptoms, and symptoms can sometimes get better or completely disappear. In some cases, more serious symptoms can occur, such as rectal bleeding, weight loss, or progressive abdominal pain. In these cases, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Causes and risk factors
Although the causes of IBS are not clear, there are risk factors that can contribute, as well as triggers that can cause bouts of the disease in patients who have it. Certain foods may cause symptoms. Some foods can cause an intolerance or an allergy in IBS patients. These include milk, carbonated beverages, alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods, fatty foods, beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and some fruits. Stress can be another factor which leads to a bout of IBS in someone who has already been diagnosed with it. Periods of increased stress in life or big life changes can aggravate IBS symptoms. Stress typically is not considered a cause of IBS.
There are risk factors that make some people more likely to develop IBS than others. Young people under the age of 45 actually tend to develop IBS more often than those over 45. Additionally, women are twice as likely to develop IBS than men because hormonal changes are believed to be a factor. Having a family history of the disease is also a risk factor. Additionally, having a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, or even a childhood history of sexual abuse or a history of domestic abuse can also be factors.
Diagnosis
Oftentimes, testing is done to diagnose digestive problems, including possible IBS. A colonoscopy, which is a colon cancer screening, may be performed in patients over the age of 50 who are experiencing signs or symptoms of IBS, especially since these symptoms can mimic signs of other gastrointestinal diseases such as colon cancer. A flexible sigmoidoscopy may be performed. This is a test which examines the lower part of the colon, or the sigmoid, with a sigmoidoscope (a flexible, lighted tube). Your doctor may recommend an x-ray or CT scan to obtain images of your colon or internal organs. Additionally, a lower GI series may be done. This is a test in which your doctor will use barium to fill your colon in order to see x-ray images more clearly.
Management and treatment
Symptom relief typically is the recommendation for the management of IBS, especially because it is unclear what causes it. Your doctor will likely recommend that you eliminate foods with a high gas content, as these can cause abdominal bloating, cramping, and flatulence. These foods include cabbage, raw fruits, cauliflower, and broccoli. Additionally, your doctor may recommend that you eliminate gluten from your diet. Gluten, which is an adhesive mixture of plant proteins that is used as a substitute for flour, has been shown in research studies to lead to abdominal symptoms such as abdominal bloating and diarrhea. Often, people who are sensitive to foods that contain gluten report their symptoms improving or clearing up altogether with the elimination of gluten from their diets. Fiber supplements such as psyllium may also be recommended, as well as over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications for further symptom relief.
If you are a resident of Flushing who is experiencing any of the signs related to IBS or any other digestive disorder, contact a gastroenterology doctor to make an appointment to have your symptoms evaluated.