Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms, Diet and Treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be hard to diagnose because it shares symptoms with other diseases. Stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and constipation or diarrhea are among the symptoms most common in people with IBS. Unfortunately, all these symptoms are all too common; they can be the symptoms for other conditions.

IBS is one of the most common disorders. Doctors and researchers distinguish IBS from the others not by its symptoms, but by what IBS isn't -- that is, by eliminating the symptoms of other conditions. For instance, unlike colitis or Crohn's, IBS is not characterized by an inflamed colon. It doesn't increases the risk of colorectal cancer either.

Since the symptoms of IBS are so common and varied, IBS can be difficult to immediately diagnose. But, IBS is chronic, and the symptoms can be contradicting -- a patient may be alternating between bouts of diarrhea and constipation.

When semi-digestive food travels into the colon, the muscles of the intestines contract to move the food along. This contraction is called peristalsis and we don't feel this under normal conditions. However, a person with IBS feels these contractions. In fact, the contractions can be strong spasms. The effect is that the food may move too fast through the intestines or too slowly. If it's the former, diarrhea is the result; if it's the latter, constipation is felt.

According to research, there are people who are very sensitive to peristalsis. When they bowel is stretching as a result of bloating or gas, they feel it clearly. Women too have been found to be more likely to have IBS, and studies attribute this to hormones. It appears that the symptoms of IBS become worse when women are having their period.

Diet plays a big role in IBS. Some people have IBS after they've consumed milk, chocolate, or alcohol. Reducing the amount of such foods can help reduce the symptoms, but in most cases, diet alterations are called for. Some people find that eating yogurt works in countering the effects of milk.

IBS can also be made worse by stress and anxiety. People with IBS can benefit from learning ways to control and reduce their stress and feelings of anxiety. Usually, this helps IBS patients experience fewer symptoms and even reduce the severity of the symptoms.

In the United States, 1 in every 5 Americans have IBS. However, less than 50% of the people with IBS get properly diagnosed and receive treatment for the condition. This is because IBS can be easily confused with the usual upset stomach. The good news is that IBS is not a life threatening condition. However, if the symptoms persist, it's a good idea to see a doctor.