Once called a spastic colon, this gastrointestinal disorder now goes under the name of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Ordinarily the disorder switches between diarrhea and constipation, but not always. A segment of this population suffers from chronic bouts of diarrhea while another segment battles ongoing constipation. Regardless of whether diarrhea or constipation poses the main problem, the cause remains common to both. The symptoms and treatment will differ; consider constipation due to IBS.
Symptoms
"Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 17th edition" states that the disorder manifests in teenage years and in the 20s. It presents with hard, infrequent stools that generally take a straining effort to expel. Relief of abdominal distention or bloating comes with bowel movement. The small, round and dry stools come in small amounts. The IBS person who suffers from chronic constipation has a sense of incomplete evacuation. Associated symptoms include abdominal and back pain, heartburn, weakness, faintness, palpitations and urinary frequency.
Causes
According to "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 2010," a variety of abnormalities exist in the motor movement of the intestines. Both the small and large intestines have hindered motility, which differs from the behavior of the IBS person with primarily diarrhea. People with IBS have a hypersensitive awareness of the workings of their bowels. They have a sense of impending bowel movement only to release a small amount of feces. Some even feel their bowels contracting, a process called peristalsis. Current reports that 10 percent of IBS sufferers exhibit IBS symptoms within one year following a bacterial intestinal infection. By comparison, fewer than 2 percent of a control group developed IBS.
Treatment
Symptoms will flare up when a person compounds the problem with life stressors. While this makes sense, the safe thing to do when IBS symptoms seem magnified is to see a doctor. The physician can rule out other serious causes. Treatment takes two routes. First, special dietary changes need to happen. Abundant amounts of water and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables help more than taking fiber supplements, according to "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 2010." Too much fiber can give a bloated feeling and may even make evacuation more difficult. Anticonstipation agents such as stool softeners and laxatives help. Milk of magnesia helps to maintain fecal consistency. A drug released in 2006 specifically treats IBS with constipation.
Prognosis
A chronic condition that will not go away, IBS has treatable symptoms. Finding the right mix of foods and medicines to help to ease the constipation takes perseverance. More importantly, avoiding foods that produce more gas and bloating can bring some comfort. Individualize your diet to suit your symptoms.
Warning
Just as important as considering a hidden physical illness, you consider any mental health issues relating to the bowel disorder. Underlying depression, anxiety or trouble sleeping bring physical ailments, as well. Chronic stress or fear of a more serious illness can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. The patient must take an interest in his own health and report these problems to a doctor so she can rule out IBS and treat the underlying illness.
References
- Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment; Stephen J. McPhee and Maxine A. Papadakis; 2010
- Harrison's Manual of Medicine; Anthony S. Fauci et al; 2009
