The Best Treatment For IBS – An Overview

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a problem that on a biological level primarily affects the small or large intestine. However the "spin-off" effect can impact somebody’s entire life. On a personal and social level, IBS can cause extremely embarrassing situations and can reduce personal confidence. It may cramp a person’s social life or make them think twice about enjoying time with friends, family and loved ones.

So whilst Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not life threatening, it can be debilitating. People can suffer different symptoms and experience different degrees of discomfort. There is no one-off miracle cure; however most people respond well to treatments, be it lifestyle changes, improvements in diet or medication. The key is to understand your IBS, and to work out what is the best treatment(s) for you.

IBS is neither sexist nor ageist. I can affect male and female, old and young. Some 10%-20% of people may suffer from IBS at some point in their lives.

IBS symptoms can include abdominal discomfort and cramping, abdominal distension, diarrhea or constipation. These are symptoms which most people will experience at some point during their lives, usually for a short period and infrequently. Such symptoms are therefore often taken for granted, yet frequently recurring symptoms like these are not normal and may indicate IBS.

There is no identifiable single cause of IBS. One possible cause is how the intestine interacts with serotonin, a naturally occurring substance that plays a role in helping the gut to function normally.  Another possible cause is an over-production of bacteria within the gastro-intestinal tract.

Though the causes of IBS may be hard to find, there are certain factors that aggravate IBS symptoms. These factors include stress and emotional conflict, a poor diet and in some cases levels of reproductive hormones.

Successful IBS treatment can only start following a correct diagnosis. IBS symptoms are treatable and the disease can be managed, especially when there is an early diagnosis. IBS is diagnosed against an established set of criteria of symptoms, together with a physical examination, review of medical history and tests that rule out other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or colonic cancer.

Most people with IBS will not need specialist medical care. Primary care practitioners can treat most cases as the treatment will not involve frequent doctor visits. IBS treatment is based around helping the patient to lead a healthier life style, through dietary improvements, relaxation techniques and exercise. Simple dietary changes may mean smaller, more frequent meals; or fewer fatty foods and more high-fiber foods. Where the IBS is more chronic, or patients do not respond to physician counselling or changes to their diet, medication may be necessary.

The effectiveness of any treatment regime can only be measured against its efficiency in controlling or eliminating IBS symptoms without producing any side effects. The majority of patients respond well to treatment and live a very normal life, coping with their day-to-day activities without any difficulties. However, as different patients respond diversely to different treatments it can be a case of trial and error to find what works for each individual.

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