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True to its name, irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the bowel. Some of its common symptoms include stomach pain, mucus in stool, lower abdominal cramps, inability to control the bowel movement, gas and alternate bouts of constipation and diarrhea. It is prevalent in all age groups from children to adolescents and adults. The symptoms might disappear suddenly or could reappear at any time in an individual’s lifespan. Though IBS can result in great distress and inconvenience it is not life threatening like cancer or it causes any permanent damage to the stomach or intestines.

It is estimated that one out of 10 people, seeking medical aid, suffer from this condition. Many fail to show up any serious symptoms and it is rather a common ailment that accounts for 20-25% visits to gastroenterologists. The most prevailing symptoms include lower abdominal cramps and swelling. In many cases these discomforts disappear with defecation. Irritable bowel syndrome is more common in women than men. IBS should not be confused with other inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation of the large intestine. Irritable bowel syndrome, however, does not result in colon inflammation and is not as serious as colitis.

Increasing the fiber intake and cutting down on caffeine is found to be useful in some. IBS is considered a syndrome as it involves multiple symptoms. A balanced diet coupled with adequate medications and stress management could bring relief to many; However, IBS can put many people out of action as they face difficulty in walking or traveling.

The contraction of intestinal muscles to bring about the movement of its contents is normally affected by hormones coupled with nerve and electrical activity in the colon muscle. IBS is not confined to colon unlike many other inflammatory diseases like colitis. In some cases, irritable bowel syndrome could start suddenly in individuals (Rome II criteria positive), which is much more homogenous; or after infectious diseases like fever, acute diarrhea or positive stool culture.

Even today, the exact causes of Irritable bowel syndrome remain obscure. However the common risk factors thought to trigger irritable bowel syndrome include poor diet, stress and hormonal changes. Eating gas forming food items might aggravate the condition in persons already suffering from IBS. In some cases bouts of infectious diarrhea might result in IBS. Probability of a genetic cause is also not ruled out as in many cases, irritable bowel syndrome involves all members of a family.

Treatment normally involves

For people suffering from constipation, fiber supplements or laxatives are useful; while those suffering from diarrhea are found to be benefited from Anti-diarrheal medicines like Lomotil or loperamide. Codeine, though effective in controlling diarrhea could be addictive.

While antidepressants might ease some symptoms, antispasmodics are useful in managing colon muscle spasms and stomach pain. Many alternative therapies like acupuncture and homeopathy are also quite popular in the management of IBS. Though many people resort to acupuncture, no scientific proof is available to testify its efficacy.

When everything else fails, anti depressants in extremely small doses are also employed as a last resort. It works by imitating the nervous system to the bowel.