IBS | HERBAL TREATMENT

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a term used to describe discomfort in the bowel (the colon, or large intestine). Symptoms of IBS may include crampy pain, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, and changes in bowel habits. Some people with IBS have constipation - infrequent stools that may be hard, dry and painful. Others have diarrhea - frequent loose stools. Some people having alternating constipation and diarrhea. Sometimes a person with IBS has a crampy urge to move the bowels but cannot do so.

You may have heard IBS referred to as "spastic colon" or "spastic bowel." Sometimes IBS is confused with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. But IBS is not a disease and does not cause inflammation, bleeding, damage to the bowel, or cancer or other serious diseases.

It is called a functional disorder, which means that there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined, but the bowel doesn't work as it should.

Often IBS is just a mild annoyance, but for some people it can be disabling. They may be unable to go to social events, to go out to a job, or to travel even short distances. Most people with IBS, however, are able to control their symptoms through diet, stress management, and medicines.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary widely from person to person and often resemble those of other diseases. Among the most common are:

Abdominal pain or cramping
A bloated feeling
Gas (flatulence)
Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea
Mucus in the stool

Like many people, you may have only mild signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes these problems can be disabling, however. In some cases, you may have severe signs and symptoms that don't respond well to medical treatment. Because symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be present with other diseases, it's best to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.

For most people, IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when the signs and symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely.

Women with IBS often have more symptoms during their menstrual periods.

HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT IBS?

Stress—feeling mentally or emotionally tense, troubled, angry, or overwhelmed—can stimulate colon spasms in people with IBS. The colon has many nerves that connect it to the brain. Like the heart and the lungs, the colon is partly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which responds to stress. These nerves control the normal contractions of the colon and cause abdominal discomfort at stressful times. People often experience cramps or “butterflies” when they are nervous or upset. In people with IBS, the colon can be overly responsive to even slight conflict or stress. Stress makes the mind more aware of the sensations that arise in the colon, making the person perceive these sensations as unpleasant.

Some evidence suggests that IBS is affected by the immune system, which fights infection in the body. The immune system is affected by stress. For all these reasons, stress management is an important part of treatment for IBS. Stress management options include

stress reduction (relaxation) training and relaxation therapies such as meditation
counseling and support
regular exercise such as walking or yoga
changes to the stressful situations in your life
adequate sleep

POINT TO REMEMBER

IBS is a disorder that interferes with the normal functions of the colon. The symptoms are crampy abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
IBS is a common disorder found more often in women than men.
People with IBS have colons that are more sensitive and reactive to things that might not bother other people, such as stress, large meals, gas, medicines, certain foods, caffeine, or alcohol.
IBS is diagnosed by its signs and symptoms and by the absence of other diseases.
Most people can control their symptoms by taking medicines such as laxatives, antidiarrhea medicines, antispasmodics, or antidepressants; reducing stress; and changing their diet.
IBS does not harm the intestines and does not lead to cancer. It is not related to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

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