Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What is it?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder in the United States. It is characterized by intermittent periods of constipation or diarrhea and often pain or bloating. After partly digested food leaves the stomach, it is moved through the small and then the large intestine by regular contractions (peristaltic motility) of the muscles in the intestinal wall. In IBS, these muscles may go into spasm and move residues either too quickly (causing diarrhea) or too slowly (causing constipation). IBS should not be confused with the more serious inflammatory bowel diseases (see Colitis, Ulcerative and Crohn's Disease). There is no cure for IBS; however, it is often possible to relieve symptoms with a combination of diet and stress management.Medications are also sometimes helpful. IBS is more common in women than men, and symptoms may worsen in relation to menses.
What Causes It?
- The cause of IBS is unknown, though it is felt to be a disorder of gastrointestinal motility (a disorder of the function of the gastrointestinal tract rather than a structural problem).
- Emotional stress may be a contributing factor.
- Certain foods may trigger flare-ups. Common irritants include high-fat foods such as bacon, poultry skin, vegetable oils, and margarine; dairy products; and gas-producing foods such as beans and broccoli.
Prevention
- There is no known way to prevent irritable bowel syndrome; however, symptomatic episodes can often be minimized through dietary modifications and stress management techniques (see Treatment).
Diagnosis
- Patient history and physical examination are needed. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other disorders, such as cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases.
- A barium enema may be necessary. Barium creates a clear image of the colon on an x-ray.
- A small, lighted viewing tube may be used to inspect part (sigmoidoscopy) or all (colonoscopy) of the large intestine
How to Treat It
- A low-fat diet is recommended (high-fat foods may aggravate symptoms).
- Experiment with fiber intake in the diet. Some people find that symptoms are relieved by a diet rich in high-fiber foods (raw fruits and vegetables, bran, whole-grain breads, and dried legumes).Others find that a high-fiber diet increases symptoms.
- Smaller, more frequent meals may be easier to digest.
- Psychological counseling, meditation, or biofeedback may aid in the management of stress. Regular, moderate exercise may also reduce stress and relieve symptoms.
- Your doctor may prescribe laxatives, antidiarrheal medications, antispasmodics, bulk-forming agents (psyllium), or tranquilizers.
- Smoking may act as a trigger and should be avoided.
When to Call a Doctor
- Make an appointment with a doctor if symptoms of IBS interfere with normal activities.
For more Johns Hopkins health information, please visit Johns Hopkins Health Alerts.
For medical appointments at Johns Hopkins, please call 866-386-1617.
All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies website is intended for educational purposes only. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.
Copyright © 2008 Medletter Associates, LLC
Content excerpted from Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home Medical Reference.