Irritable bowel syndrome

That is reason enough why we all suffer from sporadic digestive problems. Unfortunately for some people digestive problems are a daily reality and no matter how carefully they eat, live or exercise, it is not enough to relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

According to Dr Gareth Lorge, a physician at the Netcare Rosebank Hospital, IBS is a common intestinal disorder associated with a myriad of unpleasant symptoms that affect millions of people worldwide. “And if you suffer from mild to severe abdominal pain or experience bloating and swelling, you may just be one of these people,” he adds.

Even though the cause of IBS is unknown, information about the disorder and how to treat it may just arm you with the necessary knowledge to improve your health and your general well-being. “Although most people only talk about digestive problems with their doctors behind closed doors, IBS is more common than you may think. In fact, up to 15 percent of the American population have IBS and it is thought that the number is much the same in our country. Fortunately only a small percentage of patients will suffer with chronic symptoms,” says Dr Lorge.

The symptoms of IBS typically occur early in life and half of those affected experience the symptoms before they reach the age of 30. According to Dr Lorge, you may have IBS if you experience any of the following common symptoms:

• Mild to severe sporadic abdominal pain;
• Bloating and swelling of the abdomen and passing of more wind than usual;
• Bouts of constipation and /or bouts of diarrhoea;
• A feeling of not emptying your bowels after going to the toilet;
• An urge to get to a toilet quickly.

Although the pain and symptoms may seem alarming, there is no need to fear that it is life threatening, adds Dr Lorge. “Even though the symptoms can be prevalent for a long time, IBS does not cause cancer or shorten a person's life expectancy. Some people experience symptoms intermittently for many years and often months go by without any symptoms. Most people have recurrent episodes of symptoms but the symptoms tend to get better over time.”

There is however reason to consult a doctor should you experience the following:
If you have not been diagnosed with IBS but suspect that you may suffer from the syndrome;
If you have been diagnosed with IBS and your symptoms get worse, begin to disrupt your activities, or do not respond to your home treatment;
• If you become increasingly fatigued;
• If your symptoms wake you frequently;
• If you have been losing weight unexpectedly;
• If you have a diminished appetite;
• If you have abdominal pain that is not associated with changes in bowel function or that is not relieved when you pass wind or a stool;
• If you have a fever;
• If there is mucus in your stools;
• If there is blood in your stools.

“It is always advisable to see your doctor rather than adjust your diet because there are a variety of treatment options for IBS,” says Dr Lorge.

“A high fibre diet may be beneficial if constipation is the main symptom, but when the main symptom is diarrhoea a high fibre diet may aggravate the symptoms.”

You also need to determine if there are certain foods that trigger your symptoms or even aggravate them. “In this case cutting out certain foods may be useful. The most common foods that can cause IBS symptoms are: wheat, rye, barley, dairy products, coffee and onions.”

There are also medicines available to ease your discomfort. “Antispasmodic medicines can help to relax the muscles in the wall of the gut. There are several types of these medication that work in different ways - so it is worth trying a few. If one is found to help, it can be taken when symptoms flare up. If diarrhoea the is the main symptom, antidiarrhoea medication can be used. If the predominant symptoms are pain combined with diarrhoea, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant. Antidepressants have other actions besides treating depression and are used in a variety of painful conditions.”

Dr Lorge also advises to exercise moderately or adjust your lifestyle as stress and anxiety can trigger symptoms or make them worse. “Even just learning techniques which enable patients to better deal with stress can be helpful.”

Bear in mind that there are various other treatments such as herbal medications and probiotics, although more research is needed to clarify their role. “New drugs are being developed and may become treatment methods for the future, but in the interim there is definitely something on the market that can assist in easing your pain and discomfort.”

Dr Lorge concludes: “Start your treatment by doing the basics like opting for the stairs instead of the lift, by drinking enough water and even just by laughing. Combining these common healthy lifestyle tips with the right treatment as per your doctor's advice, you can ensure a healthy digestive system and alleviate IBS symptoms”.