Irritable Bowel Health Video

Video Transcript

SUSAN MCGLADERRY, BM, BCH, MRCP: Hello. My name is Dr. Susan McGladerry. I'm the medical director from the FirstMed Centers in Budapest Hungary. I would like to give you some brief information about irritable bowel syndrome. This is extremely common and it affects approximately one in every five adults. The signs and symptoms are very variable. There may be abdominal cramping bloating and embarrassing gas. There may also be problems of diarrhea, constipation or both. Unlike the more serious inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome does not cause inflammation or changes in the bowel lining and it does not increase your risk of colorectal cancer. What causes irritable bowel syndrome is not clear. Although it seems that some people with irritable bowel syndrome are more sensitive to certain stimuli, for example, chocolate, milk, and alcohol may cause constipation or diarrhea. Sodas and some fruits and vegetables may lead to excessive bloating and abdominal discomfort. Stress and other illness may provoke the irritable bowel syndrome but are not thought to be the main cause. Who is at risk of irritable syndrome? It affects women significantly more than men in a ratio of 2 women to every 1 man. And it mostly starts before the age of 35. Mostly, the symptoms are relatively mild. But sometimes the symptoms can be much more problematic and even disabling. There may be severe signs and symptoms that don't respond well to medication and also symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be present with other diseases causing some confusion. So, it's best to discuss these symptoms with your doctor. When should you see your doctor? Well, if you have persistent change in your bowel habit or if you have any disturbing symptoms for most people irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition. There will likely be times when the symptoms and signs are worse and other times when the symptoms improve or even disappear all together. In many cases you can control the symptoms of irritable bowel by managing your diet, your lifestyle, and your stress level. If you can't do that, you need to talk to your doctor or dietitian for help and advice.