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Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a term used to identify a group of symptoms where no proven cause can be identified. An irritable bowel is one that does not function in a smooth or coordinated manner. Those suffering from this condition have a very sensitive bowel in which spasms and contractions result in cramping or 'stitch' type pains in the abdomen.
IBS is a very common condition, beginning in the late teens or early twenties, more commonly in females, and affecting 20 -30% of the population to some degree. Anecdotally, emotional stress has always been considered the main trigger factor, but other aggravating factors include: - bowel infections
- dietary e.g. lack of fibre, sensitivity to foods, food allergies such as lactose intolerance, salicylates in some foods (food colouring, fresh pineapple)
- drugs and medications e.g. cigarette smoking, antibiotics, over use of laxatives, aspirin
PEOPLE WITH IBS USUALLY HAVE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: - vague central or left lower abdominal pain, relieved by passing wind or a bowel movement
- changing bowel frequency
- passing mucus from the rectum
- a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel
- constipation, hard pellety stools or loose stools
- bloating or distension, flatulence, loss of appetite, mild nausea
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that usually some tests need to be done to exclude more serious conditions. The symptoms are highly unlikely to progress, require surgery, or develop into serious illness. Sufferers may benefit from a variety of treatments that relieve symptoms. These may include: - keeping a food diary to identify foods that produce symptoms
- a diet low in milk products and processed foods
- eliminating caffeine, cigarette smoking, alcohol
- eating a high fibre diet or
- taking medications that relax the intestines such as Colofac or Buscopan
- a new medication called Zelmac (Tegaserod) has been released for use in women with IBS, but further clinical
- research is needed to evaluate its efficacy in this condition. It is most useful in those IBS sufferers who have constipation as their main symptom. Zelmac is taken in a dose of 6mg twice daily before meals for a maximum of 12
- weeks. The major adverse reaction to Zelmac has been diarrhoea. It is currently not approved for use in men because of the low numbers of men participating in the trials.
Article #4419 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
