| If you have recently been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, information is available to help you manage this disorder so you can learn to control it and live a relatively normal life.
Although there is no known cause, doctors have determined that symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome may be related to what are basically crossed signals sent from the brain to the bowels themselves. These crossed signals affect how the intestines move. Other possible causes are related to allergies or intolerance to some foods, especially those containing gluten and dairy products.
Irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder of the intestines, causes abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea or constipation. Other symptoms include mucous in the stool or a feeling of incomplete emptying of your bowels.
There is no way to know when you wake each morning if you will have a good day or a bad day. When you have a bad day it is called a flare and can be quite distressing. Flares can be triggered by the food you eat, increased stress levels, hormones changes or imbalances, and antibiotic treatment.
Irritable bowel syndrome is more common than you might think. Did you ever go out to eat at a fast food joint and within minutes after finishing your meal you had to run to the bathroom? Well, that was probably a mild form of irritable bowel syndrome. Most people have such mild symptoms that there is no need to see a physician.
Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is made by your doctor based on the irritable bowel syndrome information related to her by you. Other tests, like a colonoscopy or a stool analysis may be ordered by your doctor to rule out other conditions of the bowel that may be the cause of your symptoms.
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be managed by avoiding triggers, exercising on a regular basis and reducing the amount of stress in your life. Some trial and error and keeping a food diary will be needed to figure out what your triggers are and may not be pleasant but once triggers are determined you will know what foods to avoid. Make and keep a list of your trigger foods handy until you get them memorized.
Medication treatment of choice is based on your worst symptom. If you get diarrhea the most then a medication like Imodium may be helpful to you. Milk of magnesia can be used for constipation and the pain management that is best for you will be determined by your doctor.
Antidepressants or anxiolytics may be prescribed by your doctor if it is determined that depression or anxiety are triggers for your irritable bowel syndrome.
If traditional medications are not helpful then you can investigate possible herbal remedies that may offer you some relief. Talk to the owner of your local health food store or make an appointment with a naturopath. They are skilled in alternative medicine and herbal remedies that may make your condition more tolerable and allow you to significantly reduce any disruption to your daily activities.
Hopefully this irritable bowel syndrome information will help you in effectively managing the most unpleasant disorder. |