Irritable bowel syndrome, also called spastic colon or spastic colitis, affects approximately 20 percent of the population, according to the National Institutes of Health. IBS, as it is known, is usually diagnosed by age 35, and the disease affects twice as many women as men. People afflicted with IBS have a greater chance of developing diverticulitis and colon cancer, and early diagnosis is important to prevent permanent damage to the intestinal tract.
Causes of IBS
The nervous system, in response to stress, slows digestion, thereby allowing stomach contents to sit in the gut longer. Longer fermentation of waste products increases possibilities of constipation and excess gas. Depending on the diet of the individual, abdominal pain and distention may follow.
A diet that consists of high amounts of caffeine, fat, beans, fiber and cabbage irritates the intestinal tract and causes many of the symptoms of IBS. Individuals who are lactose intolerant, or who abuse stool softeners and laxatives are at higher risk for IBS symptoms. During menses, many women also complain of experiencing IBS-like symptoms.
Constipation and Diarrhea
A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses states that in a normal digestive process, the autonomic nervous system signals the intestines to contract and relax (peristalsis) in order to move food through to the colon. In IBS, the autonomic nervous system does not complete the signal, resulting in alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Lower abdominal pain with cramps which is alleviated by defecating, abdominal or rectal pain 1 to 2 hours after a meal and the passage of mucus alone or with bowel movements are some of the earliest and most common signs of irritable bowel syndrome. Other symptoms include pain, alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea, excess flatulence, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel and abdominal distension.
Emotional Factors
According to the Mayo Clinic, patients with IBS may have difficulty coping with this disorder. As patients become depressed, their enjoyment of life and work is often clouded by the need to stay close to a bathroom. As anxiety increases, so do the symptoms of IBS. This is often a vicious cycle from which patients may feel there is no escape or hope in leading a normal life.
Knowledge of the disorder and its causes and remedies enables the IBS sufferer to make smart lifestyle choices to lessen the impact of IBS on his life.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- "Pathophysiology: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses"; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005
