What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
A doctor can often prescribe medication for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While there is no known cause, some factors may trigger the symptoms. Diet is a common trigger, but what causes them varies from person to person. Sometimes the symptoms begin after an infection or stressful situations. Other medications may affect a person's symptoms. However, your doctor can advise you on the most effective medication.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder with painful bowel movements and abdominal pain symptoms. While there are some similarities between the two conditions, they require different treatments. In some cases, irritable bowel syndrome is a symptom of another condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Learn more about irritable bowel syndrome and its causes. To find out if you have IBS, consult a doctor.
Trigger foods
While many foods cause irritable bowel syndrome, many factors can affect how a person experiences their symptoms. Foods with high fat, sugar, or salt can cause a flare-up. Regardless of the cause, these foods can trigger an episode and make it much more difficult to recover from an IBS episode. A good way to determine your triggers is to keep a food diary or at least be aware of what you're eating.
Treatment
Although Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not life-threatening, it can seriously impact your quality of life. Symptoms of IBS are often accompanied by fatigue, back pain, sexual function problems, and headaches. Treatment for IBS can involve dietary changes or prescription medication. A doctor can diagnose the condition through a physical exam and perform lab tests to determine if you have an infection or inflammation of the digestive system.
Diarrhea
In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, people with irritable bowel syndrome can experience an increased frequency of stools. Patients usually wake up needing to pass stool, followed by a second, smaller bowel movement. These stools are often watery and tend to increase in softness and volume as they pass. By midday, the episode is complete, and the patient can go about their daily activities. However, some sufferers cannot leave their homes until their bowel movements are complete.
Constipation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects seven to twenty-one percent of the population. It is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and frequency changes in bowel movement. Constipation is the condition when stools aren't passing frequently enough or when they are hard and incomplete. The following are symptoms of constipation that might indicate a more serious underlying medical condition.