By Jolynn Lowry, RN, FCN
[Editor’s Note: April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month. The Faith Community Nurse ministry presents this article in an ongoing effort to educate the congregation on Health and Wellness topics.]
A common, unpleasant intestinal disorder with a myriad of symptoms is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Although it affects millions of people, it has no known cause and no effective remedy. A challenging disorder for both sufferers and physicians, people with IBS in general score lower than average for the U.S. in all quality of life categories surveyed, including bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health.
IBS usually begins in the late teens, 20s, or 30s to relatively healthy individuals. The sufferer may begin with intermittent cramps in the lower abdomen. There is an increased frequency of bowel movements and urgency to get to the toilet right away. Stools are loose and watery. The sufferer often feels bloated and full of gas. After a while, the cramps return, but this time nothing happens when the person tries to go to the bathroom. Some people alternate between constipation and diarrhea while others will have one or the other. IBS is a catchall term for this mixed bag of symptoms.
Generally described as a disorder in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, IBS is thought to be not a single disease, but a set of symptoms that stem from a variety of causes. Some of the causes being studied include disturbances in the nerves or muscles in the gut, infection, colon sensitivity, stress and emotion, hormonal, and dietary factors. Foods that may trigger IBS symptoms include: apples and other raw fruits, beans, broccoli, cabbage, caffeine, cauliflower, chewing gum, beverages or foods sweetened with fructose or sorbitol, chocolate, dairy products, fatty foods, margarine, nuts, orange and grapefruit juices, and wheat products.
There is no cure for IBS, so treatment is geared toward controlling and managing symptoms. Some of the approaches used include eliminating triggers, eating fiber, heat (such as a heating pad or drinking warm, decaffeinated tea), cognitive behavioral therapy, and use of a variety of medications to ease the symptoms. There are also several alternative and complementary treatments for IBS such as relaxation training and meditation, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, and several herbal remedies.
If you are interested in learning more about IBS or other gastrointestinal disorders, Harvard Health Publications has a helpful booklet for a small charge. You can contact them by internet or phone (toll-free 877-649-9457).
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