A Detailed Description of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a very common condition, one that is most primarily characterized by certain symptoms, such as cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. It is actually not referred to as a disease but rather a functional disorder in which the bowel does not work properly. Although doctors are not sure yet what it is that actually causes irritable bowel syndrome, there are certain factors which have shown to trigger the syndrome.

Symptoms

There are quite a few different symptoms that can arise as a result of the onset of the syndrome, including abdominal pain or discomfort in the abdomen, which is often relieved or associated with a bowel movement, chronic diarrhea and constipation, whitish mucous in the blood, a swollen or bloated abdomen, and the feeling that you have not finished a bowel movement.

These are just a few of the most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and if you ever experience any of these symptoms you want to get in to see your doctor as soon as possible so that you can talk to them about this and learn about what you can do in terms of relieving these symptoms.

Treatment

The treatment that should be used for a case of irritable bowel syndrome will vary, depending on how severe the condition is and how long you have been suffering with it for. There are five key categories of treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, which are: treatment through diet, treatment through supplements, treatment through alternative therapies, treatment through stress management, and treatment through prescription medications.

Diet more than anything plays a major role in terms of the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. There are very clear and specific guidelines that you want to follow here, and basically any food that is high in fat or caffeine is going to worsen the symptoms of the syndrome, as any of these foods are known as irritants and will most likely cause negative reactions of the gastrocolic reflex.

You want to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and also increase your intake of fiber. Just make sure that you also begin drinking a lot more water because otherwise you may end up suffering from gas or constipation.

It is important to discuss your particular irritable bowel syndrome condition with your doctor so that they can assess your problem and discuss what the best methods of treatment are going to be for you.