Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the number one disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in medical treatment of disorders of the stomach and intestines) and one of the disorders most commonly seen by primary care physicians. It affects approximately 10 to 20 percent of the general population, and also is referred to as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon.

According to www.aboutibs.org, IBS is characterized as a functional disorder, meaning there is a problem with the function of a part of the body, but there is no abnormality in the structure. This disorder usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 30 and is twice as common in women as in men. IBS can be divided into four different types, depending on which of the following is the main symptom - abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or diarrhea alternating with constipation.

Causes

The cause is not clear. It may have something to do with over-activity of parts of the gut. The gut is a long muscular tube that goes from the mouth to the anus. The small and large bowel (also called the small and large intestine) are parts of the gut inside the abdomen. Food is passed along by regular contractions (squeezes) of the muscles in the wall of the gut. Stress does not directly result in IBS. It is not a psychiatric or a psychological disorder. However, stress can be a contributor to IBS. When a person becomes nervous or anxious, he or she may experience diarrhea or nausea. It may be impossible to control stress’s effect on our intestines, but if we are able to reduce the sources of stress in our daily lives, then this may help to reduce or alleviate the symptoms of IBS.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort are the main symptoms of IBS. However, symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people have constipation, which means hard, difficult-to-pass, or infrequent bowel movements. Often these people report straining and cramping when trying to have a bowel movement but cannot eliminate any stool, or they are able to eliminate only a small amount. IBS symptoms seem to occur as a result of an abnormality of communication between the muscles of the bowel and the nervous system. This may result in the bowel becoming more sensitive or “irritated.” The muscles which are located in the bowel wall may contract either too weakly or too forcefully, too rapidly or too slowly at certain times. There is no physical obstruction in the bowel, yet a patient may experience cramps or a functional blockage.

Treatment

The best way to handle IBS is to eat a healthy diet, avoid foods that seem to make you feel worse and find ways to handle your stress. Treatment for IBS, as for any physiological condition, works best when it successfully addresses the cause of the condition. Some people with IBS find that careful eating helps reduce or eliminate IBS symptoms. You might try avoiding very large meals, drinks with caffeine, spicy or fatty foods, chocolate, some dairy products, and foods that contain gluten. Some people find that adding fiber and drinking more water can help eliminate IBS symptoms as well. You must have a comprehensive physical examination and medical history by a physician or a specialized colon and rectal surgeon in order to eliminate more serious disorders. Irritable bowel syndrome should not be mistaken for other diseases of the bowel such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Fever, rectal bleeding, anemia, and unexplained weight loss are not symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and need to be assessed by your physician.

Irritable bowel syndrome does not lead to bleeding, cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases and treatment options are available to manage IBS – whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe. Different techniques can be incorporated to reduce stress such as biofeedback, behavioral therapy, relaxation or even pain management techniques may all help to relieve IBS symptoms in certain individuals. You may also wish to keep a journal to help identify certain factors or foods that may cause symptoms of IBS.

Source: http://www.aboutibs.org and http://www.ibs-information.com.