What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and How Do I Recognize It?

Irritable bowel syndrome is normally described as a functional disorder, which means that the symptoms cannot be explained by a disease or structural anomaly in the gastrointestinal tract.  The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is made based on the symptoms experienced, since the condition (sometimes known as IBS) has no easily identifiable cause.

How Can I Tell If I Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is generally characterized by the presence of a chronic abdominal pain, which can be extremely severe at times.  This will normally be accompanied by a feeling of bloating and discomfort, and it is almost certain that your bowel habits will change if you develop the condition.  Depending on the exact classification of IBS that develops, you may find that you experience constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), or that the symptoms alternate between these two (IBS-A).  Typically, IBS was always diagnosed on the basis of excluding all other conditions, but it will now be diagnosed based on the symptoms that are present.  This assumes, of course, that there are no features that cause particular concern, such as the age of onset being over fifty, weight loss, or a family history of inflammatory bowel disease.  IBS most commonly develops after an acute infection of the digestive system.

What Are The Typical Symptoms of IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a slightly unusual condition because it does not result in symptoms being present all of the time.  There will usually be a flare up of severe symptoms, lasting for several days, after which it will settle down again.  The symptoms will improve considerably during this time, but they will not disappear completely.

Abdominal pain is usually the most common symptom of IBS, and it will generally be accompanied by painful stomach cramps.  As this will normally be relieved to some extent by the opening of the bowels, the cramps are likely to be due to the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract attempting to move substances along.  There may also be a feeling that the bowel has not been emptied completely.

Changes in bowel habits almost always occur as a result of irritable bowel syndrome.  This may lead to the onset of constipation, where it is difficult and sometimes painful to pass stool.  The constipation may also contribute to the abdominal cramps, while swelling and bloating might also develop.  Not all cases of IBS lead to constipation; some will cause diarrhea instead, which leads to an urgent need to use the toilet at times, as the bowel movements will not be controlled as easily as usual.

It is also possible for the same patient to experience periods of constipation and diarrhea on an alternating basis.  This is known as IBS-A, and can be difficult to treat due to the changes in symptoms.  The dietary advice that would benefit one phase of the disorder would aggravate the symptoms of the other phase.

Irritable bowel syndrome can also lead to symptoms of conditions such as depression and anxiety, since it is a long term chronic condition that cannot be cured, and causes have not been identified.  This means that the symptoms of IBS are likely to be present for many years, possibly the rest of the patient’s life.  Although symptoms can be dramatically reduced, and even controlled to an extent, the condition will flare up from time to time.

What Do I Do If I Think I Have IBS?

If you think you are experiencing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as changes in bowel habits, bloating or abdominal cramps, then you should book an appointment with your colorectal doctor.  It would be helpful if you kept a record of your symptoms and any foods that you feel make them worse, as this can help your doctor with making the diagnosis.  You may need to see a specialist in gastrointestinal conditions, such as a gastroenterologist, and it may also be useful to see a dietician before you start making any significant changes to what you eat.  This will ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients you need, while still being able to avoid the foods that trigger symptoms of IBS.

Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (also commonly referred to as IBS) is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract.  This means that there is no apparent cause for the symptoms, such as a blockage in the digestive system or an infection.  The symptoms will usually begin to appear between the ages of twenty and thirty, and the condition is more common in women.

Symptoms can vary widely between patients, and there are three recognised types of irritable bowel syndrome.  It is possible for the condition to be constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant, or to alternate between these.  Other symptoms will include bloating, stomach cramps, and abdominal pain. If you suffer from IBS in Los Angeles, then continue to read this article because we will provide many diagnosis tips.

How is IBS Generally Diagnosed?

As IBS is a functional disorder and rather than having an easily identifiable cause, it has historically been diagnosed on the basis of exclusion.  This means that it is necessary to rule out other possible options before a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome can be made. However, irritable bowel syndrome will now most commonly be diagnosed by taking a medical history and looking at the symptoms that you are experiencing.  Sometimes, a range of clinical investigations will be carried out in order to rule out a number of other bowel disorders.  This is important because IBS and celiac disease are commonly misdiagnosed, and IBS may also be diagnosed wrongly when parasites or Helicobacter pylori (the organism responsible for causing stomach ulcers) are present.  Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Los Angeles is very common if you find the right doctor.  There are many to choose from and we encourage you to look around. The tests that are most frequently carried out in order to make a diagnosis of IBS include:

• Stool culture and microscopy. This rules out the presence of any infectious diseases that may result in the same symptoms.
• Blood tests.  There are many different tests that can be carried out on a blood sample, including screening for celiac disease, a full blood count, liver function tests and more.
• Ultrasound scan of the abdomen, which can rule out many problems in the gastrointestinal tract, gallstones, and some other diseases.
• Hydrogen breath testing, which is used to rule out the malabsorption of sugars, particularly lactose and fructose.
• Endoscopy and biopsy.  These can rule out the presence of tumors, inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease.

If all of these clinical tests prove to be negative, then it is highly likely that a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome will be made.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Having IBS?

IBS is an unpleasant, often painful condition, but it is not considered to be life threatening.  However, research has indicated that patients with IBS are at a greater risk of developing a wide range of other conditions, which you may or may not be aware of.  These conditions include depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and persistent headaches.  There is also evidence to suggest a link between IBS and endometriosis in women, although this is highly speculative and by no means proven.

What Can I Do About My Symptoms After I Have Been Diagnosed with IBS?

Although IBS does not have a cure, you will find that your symptoms are reduced considerably by following some basic lifestyle advice that your doctor may give you.  Eating regular meals is important, and try not to rush when you are eating, as this will disrupt the digestive process.  Regular exercise will also help to maintain the regular movement of food through your digestive system, and help to reduce your symptoms, particularly if you suffer from the predominantly constipation form of this disorder.  Keep track of what you eat and if this causes any changes to your symptoms, as this will help you to cut out foods that increase the discomfort.  If you live in Los Angeles, irritable bowel syndrome can be annoying at best and painful at worst.

Contact Your Local Proctologist to Get an Expert Opinion

Your Los Angeles colorectal surgeon (also known as a proctologist) should be contacted if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.  They will be able to diagnose you properly and provide you with all of the information you need in order to be able to make an informed decision about the treatments available.  Most likely, you will initially undergo screening for bowel or stomach problems, but booking an appointment is the first step in diagnosing the problem.