Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

WHAT IS iBS?

IBS is one of the most prevalent gastroenterological disorders. It’s a chronic, relapsing and often life‑long disorder that is believed to strike between 10% and 20% of people according to global estimates with a large percentage of sufferers undiagnosed.

WHO DOES IT AFFECT?

IBS can affect people of any age. But it seems to be more common in young people between the ages of 20 and 30 years.

Women are most commonly affected, with 60 percent of IBS sufferers female, compared to 40 percent male.

The Symptoms

It is characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and flatulence.

Symptoms sometimes overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders such as non‑ulcer dyspepsia or coeliac disease.

Most people with IBS experience symptoms that are relatively short‑lived or that only trouble them on an intermittent basis. Some people, however, develop chronic and severe symptom that markedly reduce the quality of life.

Effect

If you are suffering from IBS then you are familiar with the extent to which it can affect your day to day life. The symptoms can be enough to prevent you from achieving simple tasks. For some people, their symptoms are so severe that they cannot even consider going on holiday, outings or any other of the fun things that most people would consider normal. Many people with IBS find the condition so debilitating and painful that it completely takes over their lives.

Although IBS can be painful and uncomfortable, it is not permanently damaging to the intestines, nor does it cause other gastrointestinal diseases.

The symptoms can lead to anxiety and depression, which in turn can make the symptoms worse. That’s because the colon is in part controlled by the nervous system, which responds to stress. Evidence also suggests that the immune system, also responding to stress, plays a role.

Causes

IBS is what is known as a functional disorder, there is no disease process which is causing the symptoms. As such, IBS is not a disease. Although symptoms of IBS are incredibly distressing, there is no physical damage being done which causes the symptoms.

At present, there is no known specific cause for IBS. If you have ten people with IBS, the causes may be quite different for each person. Some experts suggest people who suffer from IBS have a colon that is more sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress. (The disorder is also known as spastic colon.) Research also tells us one of the biggest causes of irritable bowel is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. There may be other causes, including a lack of digestive enzymes, parasites living in the gut, zinc or magnesium deficiency, and heavy metal toxicity.

Many people begin to get symptoms after a bout of sickness, such as diarrhoea and vomiting (often gastroenteritis) or an extreme emotional upset. Other people do not know exactly when their IBS began, but are able to pinpoint triggers which set off their symptoms such as their diet, their emotions, and stress and anxiety.

Stress

Stress has been shown to trigger IBS. Plus, the stress experienced as a result of suffering from IBS can create a more stress, creating a vicious cycle that intensifies the symptoms. Clinical studies have shown time and time again, that reducing stress has huge benefits for IBS sufferers.

It can become a debilitating condition, because the stress that IBS symptoms trigger, creates more symptoms and it can be difficult to see a way out of this vicious cycle.

As yet, there is no cure for the condition

While there is no cure for IBS, a range of treatments are available that can help manage the symptoms and discomfort.

Ways to gain relief from the symptoms

Some people get relief from lifestyle and diet changes or medicines, including peppermint oil and antispasmodic medication, but these treatments don't help everyone.

Gut directed hypnotherapy has been found to be very effective in reducing the severity of pain and discomfort and stress. People with IBS symptoms have noted improvements in overall well-being, quality of life, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, and bloating after undertaking hypnotherapy.

ALARM SYMPTOMS

These symptoms are not usually associated with IBS but may be associated with other diseases. If you experience any of these you should see your doctor as soon as possible:

  • A persistent change of bowel habit for 4 weeks or longer, especially if you are over the age of 40

  • Passing blood from the back passage

  • Unintentional weight loss of more than 2kg (4 pounds) over a short period of time.

  • Diarrhoea waking you from sleep

  • Fever

    The need to see a doctor is especially important if there is a family history of bowel disease (such as cancer, colitis or Crohn’s disease).