1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The Mayo Clinic estimates that one in five people suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome. Patients may experience constipation or diarrhea or alternate between the two conditions at different times. Abdominal pain and cramping, an immediate need to use the bathroom, bloating and difficulty controlling gas are all symptoms of IBS.
Normally, food is moved through the intestinal tract and into the rectum by the muscles in the intestines that contract and relax in an organized rhythm. In people with IBS, the contractions can be stronger and last longer than normal. This causes food to be pushed through the intestines faster--causing the gas, bloating, diarrhea. Oddly, with IBS the opposite can also happen--the contractions of the intestine slow down, causing constipation.
2. Treatment for IBS
Making subtle changes to your diet may keep your IBS under control. To help calm diarrhea, eliminate foods such as caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, gas-producing foods like beans and broccoli and some artificial sweeteners. When constipation is a problem, add more fiber to your diet and drink plenty of water—and get enough exercise. Controlling your stress may also play a role in helping your IBS. Your doctor may choose to prescribe medications that can control pain, diarrhea and constipation.
3. IBS Long Term
In most cases, irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition. Learning to manage your symptoms and know your own triggers will help you to live relatively comfortably with IBS. Luckily, irritable bowel syndrome doesn't cause inflammation or other changes in the bowels and does not carry a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is commonly mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome—or IBS. In fact, IBD is much more serious and includes inflammation of the lining of the bowel wall and other physical changes to the bowel tissue. IBD is actually a group of diseases that includes both Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Symptoms of IBD include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss. Inflammatory bowel disease is more serious than irritable bowel syndrome—some individuals affected by ulcerative colitis may have a higher likelihood of developing colon cancer. See your health-care provider if experience any of these symptoms.
5. Eat Well With IBD
Not every person responds to irritable bowel syndrome the same way. Keeping a food diary will pinpoint your trigger foods and make plans to avoid them in the future. Having irritable bowel disease can make it more difficult for your body to absorb nutrients. Eat a variety of foods—including fruits and vegetables—and ask your health-care provider about possible supplements. Many doctors recommend a high-calorie, high-protein diet .
