Irritable bowel: causes, symptoms and treatment

There are people who have daily discomfort in the form of gas, diarrhea and abdominal pain. In these cases, it should not be ruled out that these symptoms correspond to irritable bowel syndrome. If the doctor confirms this diagnosis then the problem must be treated in the best possible way.

Changing your lifestyle is the best way to improve this condition. In addition, there are medications that manage to keep discomfort under control in the most critical moments, which allows one to lead a normal life.

What is irritable bowel?

Irritable bowel is what is commonly known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is a condition that causes a lot of discomfort to people who suffer from it, and whose main symptom is pain in the abdominal area, but they also get used to suffering from flatulence and diarrhea.

Despite this, the irritable bowel can improve without symptoms. Some habits that allow a normal life have been detected and which are explained later.

Remember that before self-medicating, it is important to go to the doctor who will determine if the symptoms are due to irritable bowel disease.

Causes

All the causes that trigger irritable bowel are not known exactly., but it is known that there are factors that favor its appearance. For example, abdominal pain could be due to some degree to disturbances in the contractions of the muscles that surround the intestine.

These contractions are generally present to advance food through the digestive tract. However, if these contractions last longer than they should cause gas, bloating and diarrhea.

The reasons that cause disturbances in contractions are unknown, but there is an obvious relationship with the nervous system. This has multiple endings in the intestine, which is why stress has direct repercussions on the digestive system.

There are three major factors that favor the appearance of irritable bowel: diet, stress and hormonal changes (especially in women). For example, with regard to food, it is known that wheat and dairy are foods that cause discomfort.

It has also been observed that bacteria can cause complications, and an episode of gastroenteritis with diarrhea can affect the state of the intestine. The alteration of the intestinal microflora can be caused by unhealthy eating habits and continuous and persistent stomach infections.

Stress is another factor that seems to be decisive in the appearance of irritable bowel and in the intensity of pain. Although it is not actually the cause of this condition, it is common that during periods of intense stress the discomforts increase.

Statistically, women suffer from irritable bowel syndrome more frequently. During menstrual periods, symptoms intensify, which is why it is believed that it could be related to hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea are the three most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.. The symptoms are very clear and obvious and vary in the intensity of pain. To consider that it is irritable bowel syndrome, at least two of them must be present.

Normally, abdominal pain is localized to a specific point that is relieved after going to the bathroom. On the other hand, the intestinal rhythm can be very altered, even suffering from diarrhea and constipation in a short period of time.

On the other hand, there is also in many cases a premature satiety at the time of eating, as well as a chest burning. The presence of mucus in the stool is also a symptom to be taken into consideration.

All these symptoms can present some episodes where the intensity of the pain is changing. Some diminish until they disappear. There are people for whom the discomfort, on the other hand, are constant and gradually increase.

The recommendation is that, although these symptoms disappear momentarily, go to the doctor. It is necessary to receive a comprehensive treatment that prevents the appearance of symptoms.

There are symptoms that should be treated urgently: weight loss without apparent cause, diarrhea at night, bleeding rectal, vomiting for no apparent reason, difficulty swallowing, or persistent pain that is not relieved by having a bowel movement or passing gases,

Finally, it must be taken into account that if other types of symptoms appear, it could be a different disease.

Treatment

Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is comprehensive and encompasses different approaches. The first measure to treat this syndrome is the change in eating habits. You should eliminate the consumption of those foods that worsen symptoms and discomfort.

Adopting a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits and fiber is a fundamental measure to eliminate the symptoms and discomfort caused by irritable bowel syndrome. The Mediterranean diet can work very well for this purpose, as well as consuming probiotic foods.

The doctor will recommend a drug, especially to alleviate the discomfort of the predominant symptom. Still, it is best if it is a temporary treatment that serves only as an auxiliary.

This is the case of laxatives or antidiarrheals (as the case may be), spasmolytics, linaclotide and antidepressants. The latter are used to regulate the mechanism of action in the intestine.

Psychotherapy, acupuncture, and various relaxation techniques may also be advisable as part of the treatment. In fact, another very important measure to reduce stress episodes, since it is one of the causes that increase the intensity of the discomfort.

Bibliographic references

• Chey, W.D., Kurlander, J. and Eswaran, S. (2015). Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical review. JAMA. 313 (9), 949–958.

• Spiller, R. and Garsed, K. (2009). Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 136 (6), 1979–1988.

• Whitehead, W.E., Palsson, O. and Jones, K.R. (2002). Systematic review of the comorbidity of irritable bowel syndrome with other disorders: what are the causes and implications?. Gastroenterology, 122 (4), 1140–1156.