Symptoms and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a frequently diagnosed condition in this country. Approximately 10 to 20% of people have this condition. Women account for almost 70% of this group. This condition causes explosive diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain as well as other symptoms. There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome so one of the best and easiest ways to treat this condition is through the irritable bowel syndrome diet.

The irritable bowel syndrome diet also suggests eating either small, frequent meals, or eating smaller portions of your three meals. Large, fat filled meals only serve to irritate your stomach and cause stomach pain, diarrhoea or constipation. Healthy and conscientious eating should be your main goal.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome refers to the muscles within the bowel contracting stronger and for longer than is normal. This causes food to be passed through the intestine quicker than it should which will show itself in a number of symptoms.

The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are quite uncomfortable in the main.

The symptoms are as follows

Crampy pain in the stomach

Painful diarrhea or constipation (or sometimes both)

Mucus in your stools

Swollen or blocked abdomen

Aloe is commonly listed as one of the herbs for irritable bowel syndrome, as well as inflammatory bowel disease. It was not used historically for indigestion, but to relieve the pain from burns and skin lesions and to reduce swelling. Modern herbalists have found that when purified and concentrated it is effective for the relief of many digestive problems.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is categorised as a multi-faceted disease, which means that sufferers of IBS suffer from one or more of the following disturbances: problems in the interaction between the brain and the intestines/gut disturbance in the autonomic nervous systems (regulates bowel movements) sensory malfunctions.

The Lactulose test plus the significant benefits of Rifaximin suggests that small Intestine bacterial overgrowth may be a causative factor in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The classic irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are bloating, gas and constipation. For many, these symptoms will go from one extreme to the next. In addition, irritable bowel syndrome can often be a symptom of another health condition, and one that could be more serious. If you suffer from these symptoms you should visit your doctor to get the relief that you need and that you deserve.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis

As stated above there is no single blood test, scan or x-ray that can diagnose IBS. These tests are still carried out though - in order to rule out other conditions.

Other investigations made could include endoscopic examinations of the bowel and/or stomac, and ultrasound.

More often than not, the diagnosis is made based on the presense of one or more of the symptoms above.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diets

A good healthy diet can be instrumental in relieving the symptoms of IBS and keeping the condition under control. While keeping to an IBS diet doesn't cure the disease it can greatly increase IBS sufferers comfort and ability to live with the condition.