A list of foods that you should especially try and eat if you suffer from the symptoms of IBS:
IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, which is also commonly known as IBS, is an illness that mainly affects the bowel or the large intestine.
There are a number of symptoms involved with IBS hence the term 'syndrome'.
The main symptoms associated with IBS are cramping pains, diarrhoea or constipation. Usually, a person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome has either diarrhea or constipation, although some people suffer with both. Other symptoms can include mucus in the stool, the feeling that you have not finished a bowel movement, or a swollen, bloated abdomen.
IBS is a functional disorder rather than a disease, meaning that the bowel does not work properly. Due to IBS the nerves and muscles in the bowel become extra sensitive and contract when you eat. The contractions can cause cramping and often diarrhea after eating. The nerves may become over sensitive to the bowel stretching due to reasons such as gas and cramping, pain is usually a consequence of this. Although IBS is painful, it does not damage the bowel or cause any other diseases.
IBS can be diagnosed by a doctor who will make an assessment of your condition from your symptoms. There may also be medical tests performed to ensure that you are not suffering from another disease, as there are some gut diseases which mimic the symptoms of IBS. Medical tests for IBS include a physical examination, blood tests, and an X-ray of the bowel known as a barium enema or lower gastrointestinal series (GI).
Risk Factors for IBS
The main risk factors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) include:
- Sex
- Family History
In addition, IBS does seem to run in families, possibly suggesting a genetic cause for the condition.
The symptoms begin at 35 years of age or less in almost 50% of the people who develop symptoms of IBS during their life-times. IBS often begins around the age of 20 years, but age is not a risk factor for IBS.
A list of foods that you should avoid or cut-down on if you suffer from the symptoms of IBS
The signs and symptoms of IBS can vary widely from person to person. The symptoms may also be quite intermittent, meaning that they may come and go, causing a lot of discomfort and pain at some times, and conversely relatively little discomfort and pain at other times. Sometimes people find that their symptoms subside for a few weeks or months and then return, while others report a gradual worsening of their symptoms over time.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS is a combination of signs and symptoms, but not a disease.