IBS Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a painful condition that causes one or more of these symptoms within the abdomen; diarrhea, constipation, cramping and bloating. IBS affects the Large Intestine where stool is stored. Although IBS is very painful, it is not a disease. It is called a functional disorder, which means that the Large Intestine is not functioning properly, which causes the discomfort within the abdomen. Women are known to show the symptoms of IBS more than men. Some of these women may notice an increase in their symptoms during their menstral cycle.
IBS is a disease that can easily be misdiagnosed because there currently is no laboratory test or imaging test that doctors can use to help diagnose it. IBS symptoms are the main driver for diagnosis and this makes a doctor’s task more difficult since the disease shares so many characteristics with other illnesses. IBS is often mistaken for a number of other diseases including infectious diseases, parasites, food allergies, or lactose intolerance. IBS symptoms also closely mimic the symptoms of a patient with celiac disease.
The role of diet is very important in the cause and relief of irritable bowel syndrome. Certain foods such as milk can cause diarrhea while others like fruit and soda can cause bloating and abdominal cramping.
There are several common causes of IBS, which includes stress, anxiety, certain types of food, depression, hormonal changes in women and using certain types of medications such as antibiotics. Unfortunately, there are no significant cures for IBS, however the disease can be treated naturally by using herbs and supplements. I would like to share several natural, yet effective treatment for IBS sufferers.
Stress is another possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome. Even though stress in and of itself might not be the cause, it can aggravate the symptoms during periods of higher stress and while a person is trying to adapt to a significant change in their life. Half of people who will deal with irritable bowel syndrome are under 35 years of age and young women are more at risk. Women may be more at risk because of hormonal changes related to menstruation.
Although IBS is very painful it does not cause any long lasting damage to the colon.