Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

There is no exact cause for IBS but people suffering from the disease tend to report one of the following conditions:

• Food passing through the bowel quickly and forcefully, leading to diarrhoea
• Food passing very slowly through the bowel, leading to constipation
• Sensitive muscles and nerves in the bowel. Excessive contraction of these muscles when you eat can lead to cramps in the abdomen (belly)

There are other risk factors that increase the chance of IBS, such as:

• Being young, as IBS generally affects people under 45 years old
• Having a family history of IBS
• Leading a stressful life
• Suffering from infection or swelling of the gut

The symptoms of IBS can vary greatly between affected individuals. Symptoms can range from mild to disabling, including:

• Changes to the motion of stools (small hard pellets or loose stools)
• Changes to bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)
• Feeling an urgent need to go to the toilet
• Feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely
• Finding mucus in the stools
• Having a lot of wind
• Having abdominal bloating
• Having pain or cramps in the abdomen (belly) 

You need to be aware, though, that these symptoms similar to those of colon cancer, and therefore you need to get your condition evaluated by your doctor.

There are also less common symptoms of IBS such as general tiredness, backache, headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting and having pain when going to the toilet.

There is no cure for IBS. The treatment options consist of treating your symptoms and avoiding the risk factors that trigger the onset of your IBS. Your doctor will suggest a treatment plan that works best for you, and it includes a combination of the following:

• Activities and medication to keep your stress in check
• Dietary changes that include:
  1. Avoiding alcohol, fatty foods, chocolate and caffeinated drinks
  2. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables to increase your fibre intake
  3. Eating small meals
• Medication to help alleviate your constipation, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain and cramps

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• Avoidance of social engagements
• Depression
• Malnutrition
• Worsening of piles

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