Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common reasons people consult their general practitioner in Australia. Approximately one in five people has symptoms of IBS at some time in their lives.

What is it?
Also known as spastic colon or mucous colitis, IBS restricts the contraction and relaxation of the rings of the muscle in the walls of the gut, which push down through the intestines into the colon and rectum through to the anus. When this muscular peristalsis is disrupted, spasmodic pain with dramatic diarrhoea or constipation can result, often alternating.

IBS sufferers often endure a plethora of problems, all involving altered bowel habit. The diarrhoea of IBS can by slimy with cramp like pain in the lower abdomen, relieved by passing wind.

Back pain, bloatedness, headaches, fatigue, common yeast infection and tiredness are common symptoms.

What else could it be?
Some conditions can mimic IBS very closely. These include lactose intolerance and ceoliac disease. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease may be confused with IBS however a number of additional symptoms will suggest that it is not IBS. These include blood in the stools, weight loss, pale frothy motions, waking at night due to pain, fever, or symptoms that get suddenly worse.

Causes:
Certain digestive abnormalities may be present, including abnormal peristalsis (muscle contraction to move food down the intestinal tract), abnormal sensitivity to certain food proteins, inadequate fibre in the diet, abnormal bacteria in the stomach or food intolerance and allergy. Stress is also a big factor.

Diagnosis:
Elimination diets will ascertain if food intolerance is contributing. Live blood tests, hair samples, and skin prick testing are other possible avenues to explore.

Treatment:
With IBS it is really a case of treating the individual. While lifestyle changes or dietary changes may help alleviate one person’s IBS, medication and natural therapies such as acupuncture may be effective for another. Dietary manipulation is almost certain to be necessary – every day foods such as coffee or spicy foods may be contributing.