Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder in the intestines that is not associated with direct damage to the intestines itself. This disorder is manifested by painful sensations in the abdomen, flatulence and alternating constipation and diarrhea. A person is considered to have IBS if they experience abdominal pain and discomfort for at least three months a year. Around the world, 15-20% of the population suffers from this disease, however, only a third of them seek help from doctors. The peak incidence occurs in young working age - 25 - 40 years.

Causes

Intestinal dysfunction is explained by the characteristics of the patient’s body. As a rule, this disease affects people who are emotional, mentally unstable, and prone to stress. Also important is a violation of the usual diet and diet, lack of fiber in food, a sedentary lifestyle, gynecological diseases, hormonal disorders - menopause, premenstrual syndrome, obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, etc., as well as acute intestinal infections with subsequent dysbiosis.

What's happening?

Under the influence of the above factors, a change in the sensitivity of receptors in the intestinal wall occurs, and as a result, its functioning is disrupted. The cause of pain is overstretching of the intestinal walls with feces.

How to recognize?

You can guess that you have IBS by the following signs: pain in the abdomen around the navel or lower abdomen after eating, it usually disappears after bowel movements or passing gas, diarrhea after eating, usually in the morning and early afternoon, constipation, flatulence, a feeling of incomplete bowel movement after visiting the restroom, belching of air, nausea, feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach. What is characteristic: all these unpleasant symptoms arise from excitement or after it, as a result of prolonged physical and nervous stress. Often, intestinal disorders are accompanied by headache, a feeling of a lump in the throat, insomnia, a feeling of lack of air, frequent urination, tinnitus, a feeling of weakness, and dry mouth.

Diagnostics

It is very important to distinguish IBS from other diseases of the digestive tract. To do this, the doctor may prescribe a number of tests, including a general blood and urine test, feces for helminth eggs and occult blood, bacteriological examination of stool, endoscopy of the stomach and intestines, X-ray studies, and colonoscopy.

Treatment

Treatment of IBS includes a set of measures aimed at eliminating the symptoms and causes of the disease. Your doctor may prescribe a special diet that includes foods rich in fiber, eliminates fatty and fried foods, and limits your intake of alcohol and coffee. Medications may also be used, including probiotics, which help restore normal intestinal flora, antispasmodics, which relieve intestinal spasms, and medications for constipation or diarrhea.

In addition, it is very important to control the patient's stress and psycho-emotional state, as they can increase the symptoms of IBS. Psychotherapeutic methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, meditation and relaxation can be used for this.