Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Medical Author:
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEPJohn P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Medical Editor:
Bhupinder Anand, MD
IBS Triggers and PreventionBy taking steps to prevent the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is possible to lead a productive, healthy life. With some planning, you can avoid IBS triggers that cause symptom flares. Your doctor can provide a complete treatment plan for IBS prevention. Print out this list of common IBS triggers and prevention strategies. Keep it handy for reference. It may help you identify your personal triggers in your IBS symptom journal. Triggers and symptoms may vary depending on your type of IBS. And when you're having a bad day, remember to persist with healthy management of your condition. "Realize that it's not always smooth sailing. That's a part of IBS," says Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, author of the American Dietetic Association Guide to Better Digestion. "You can't beat yourself up." 1. Diet Triggers for IBS Constipation Some foods can worsen IBS-related constipation. These include:
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome OverviewIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder of unknown cause. Common symptoms include abdominal cramping or pain, bloating and gassiness, and altered bowel habits. Irritable bowel syndrome has also been called spastic colon, functional bowel disease, and mucous colitis. However, IBS is not a true "colitis." The term colitis refers to a separate group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Irritable bowel syndrome is not contagious, inherited, or cancerous. It is estimated that 20% of adults in the U.S. have symptoms of IBS. It occurs more often in women than in men, and the onset occurs before the age of 35 in about half of the cases. Irritable Bowel Syndrome CausesThe cause of irritable bowel syndrome is currently unknown. IBS is thought to result from an interplay of abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) tract movements, increased awareness of normal bodily functions, and a change in the nervous system communication between the brain and the GI tract. Abnormal movements of the colon, whether too fast or too slow, are seen in some, but not all, people who have IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome has also developed after episodes of gastroenteritis. It has been suggested that IBS is caused by dietary allergies or food sensitivities, but this has never been proven. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome may worsen during periods of stress or menses, but these factors are unlikely to be the cause that leads to the development of IBS. Viewer Comments & ReviewsIrritable Bowel Syndrome - How Was Diagnosis EstablishedThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:How was the diagnosis of your irritable bowel syndrome established? Irritable Bowel Syndrome - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What are your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms? |
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Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal tract). The most common symptoms are
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Irritable Bowel Disease »
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional GI disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of specific and unique organic pathology.
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