Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common chronic disorder of the large intestine or colon that is mainly triggered by the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It causes recurrent diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation.

There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome but it can be managed to make the symptoms more comfortable. Only a small number of people with IBS experience severe symptoms and some are able to control their symptoms by managing their stress levels, diet, and lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Symptoms of IBS may vary, common ones include:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Cramp
• Persistent diarrhea
• Changes in the appearance of your bowel movement

What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

The exact causes of IBS is unknown but there are certain factors that may trigger it, such as:

• Food: True food allergen rarely causes IBS but many people may experience worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy, citrus fruits, beans, milk and carbonated drinks.
• Stress: Many people may experience worse IBS symptoms during periods of increased stress. However, while stress may make symptoms worse, it does not cause them.

When should I seek medical attention?

See your doctor if you experience persistent changes in your bowel habits or more severe symptoms as they may be indicative of more serious conditions such as colon cancer. Severe symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Diarrhoea
• Rectal bleeding
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Unexplained vomiting

How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) diagnosed?

Blood Test
A complete blood count blood test will be done to check for white blood cell increase due to infection.

Stool Test
A stool test is done to detect problems in the digestive or gastrointestinal tract.