IBS (now known by the name of Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a functional digestive disorder. Today it is unknown what the exact causes. However, people with this condition should see their doctor, who, through clinical data and a thorough examination will determine whether it is Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Irritable Bowel
1. What is IBS?
IBS is a functional digestive disorder characterized by the presence of abdominal pain or discomfort that is normally associated with change in bowel habits (such as constipation or diarrhea), with no demonstrable organic disorder.
This syndrome should be suspected when abdominal discomfort or pain are present for twelve weeks or more in the last twelve months. In addition, patients often present many symptoms, among them the relief of abdominal pain or discomfort when performing the stool and an evident change of stool consistency.
2. Why does this happen?
For many years research in etiology to explain why IBS occurs. For this reason, experts believe that a set of causes could be responsible for the onset of the disease, although currently not known for sure. Thus, experts clarify their existence in accordance with:
- A possible infectious cause.
- Myoelectrical abnormality that produces a disorder of bowel motility.
- An abnormal response to certain hormonal stimuli. – A disorder of the intestines.
- An alteration of certain gastrointestinal hormones.
- An intolerance or allergy to certain foods.
- The existence of certain psychological disorders.
Among these causes, food has been taken into account more than once as one of the factors responsible for the disease in two ways:
- A diet low in vegetable fiber has been linked to the emergence of IBS because it is a condition that is more common in Western countries, while in underdeveloped countries (where it is consumed vegetable fiber) is given in lesser extent.
- Moreover, there have been numerous studies that have attempted to rule out irritable bowel syndrome is caused by a food allergy because many patients relate the onset of symptoms with the intake of certain foods.
So far there are no studies addressing the theory that IBS is caused by a given diet or making a particular food. However, this does not mean that many patients relate their discomfort with certain foods from your diet and removing those makes they feel better.
3. Symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder in which there are many symptoms and many of them are outside the sphere of the digestive tract, which may suggest the patient with other diseases.
Besides the usual symptoms such as abdominal pain and altered bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation or both alternately), can occur in some patients Other symptoms, more or less often: Chest pain, nausea and vomiting, gastro esophageal reflux, dyspeptic gastric discomfort, aerophobia, bloating, early satiety, weight gain, cancer phobia, urinary symptoms (dysuria, frequency, nocturia), gynecologic symptoms (dysmenorrheal, dyspareunia), headache, fibromyalgia, insomnia, anxiety, depression, fatigue, tachycardia or bradycardia, Mainers syndrome, neurovegetative disorders, and other nonspecific symptoms.
A very striking feature of IBS is that not all people with this disease have the same symptoms It is rarely that there are two patients alike. The assessment of all of these symptoms should be performed by the physician, who shall be responsible for informing patients of their relationship with the process or irritable colon.
4. Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is done primarily by that the patient presents symptoms and that the doctor, after a rigorous examination, include in its history.
In general, this story may be sufficient to establish a presumptive diagnosis by the doctor, although you can request additional evidence such as blood tests, radiology or colonoscopy, which will help complete the diagnosis.
5. Treatment and habits to relieve
Each patient suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome must follow a different treatment depending on the symptoms present. As a complement to treatment, patients should have detailed information about the disease and on the evolution of it, facts which serve to reassure him.
Medical treatment through drugs is used:
- To treat pain the drugs used are called anticholinergics or antispasmodics that behave like smooth muscle relaxants (such as meveberina, octillion bromide, trimebutine bromide pinaverium, dicyclomine, etc).
- For constipation there are many alternatives and not as a recommendation for all patients. In general, we strongly recommend the use of vegetable fiber, as fundamentally insoluble. In other cases it may prescribe laxatives, which should never be autoindicados taken by the patient but by prescription. Laxatives can be lubricants (e.g. paraffin oil), osmotic (such as lacunose, polyethylene glycol, lactitol, or sorbitol), salt (such as hydroxide or magnesium citrate), stimulants (such as bisacodyl, cascara) and surfactants (decussate).
- Other medications used are the macrogol which together with sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride and potassium relieve constipation when it occurs. Glycerin suppositories or cleansing enemas may be used to reduce symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Today some drugs are being developed (Which have not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency), which could be useful in patients with constipation, such as 5HT4 receptor agonists (tegaserod) and 5HT3 receptor antagonists (alosetron).
- With regard to antidiarrhealThe most used is that lope amide with excellent results. The loperamina works by increasing the absorption of water and electrolytes while increases anal sphincter tone. Not for use in a maintained, only when patients present with diarrhea crisis, as its continued making may facilitate the development of constipation. In some cases may be referred to other drugs such as cholestyramine or diphenoxylate HCl. It has also been used with good results codeine.
- When the pain is very resistant to treatment can be used to antidepressant drugs. Basically, the patient who suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome should follow general recommendations including hygienic and dietary rules, avoiding fatty foods such as fried foods, potato chips or hard to digest vegetables such as chickpeas. Neither is drinking soda.
