The cause of IBS is still not fully understood, and it is not easy to diagnose. So, if you have an irritable bowel, treat it by initially gaining a full understanding of how the symptoms specifically effect you. This will help with any later diagnosis. Here are some things to consider about IBS.
One thing that is known is that about 80% of those who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome also suffer from a general anxiety disorder (GAD) like stress, depression or anxiety. It is not known whether these issues cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome or this disorder causes these issues. Nevertheless, stress and other emotional issues can definitely make symptoms worse.
Unfortunately, the progression of Irritable Bowel Syndrome has not been fully studied. However, research does show that certain people are more prone to this disorder than others. Approximately 80% of the estimated 35 million Americans who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome are women. Often the hormonal changes in women can trigger the symptoms, but again this cannot explain the condition as it is shared with men.
One important way to identify food that may trigger an IBS episode is to keep a food and symptoms diary so that a doctor can see what is setting off your symptoms. When this is done, the majority of people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome have been able to identify what foods and conditions lead to their symptoms. Often, by avoiding these foods, these people can reduce their symptoms.
It is possible that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is related to food allergies. So, if you have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and you have not been tested for food allergies, this is an area to explore with an allergy specialist. Your food diary will come in handy again here.
It is possible that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is caused by a lack of balance between the good and the bad bacteria in the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract. For this reason, sometimes probiotics are recommended so that this balance can be improved. It is also possible that doctors may prescribe antibiotics in this case to change the make up of the GI flora.
Other research of this disorder has shown that the pain and contraction of stomach muscles may be relieved by antidepressants. Since it is not believed that depression is necessarily the cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it needs to be understood that these antidepressants are not prescribed to relieve depression. Instead, they are prescribed to block the brain’s pain receptors and make the stomach muscles relax. It is also possible that antidepressants are prescribed to relieve anxiety that may accompany this disorder.
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So if you have an irritable bowel treat it initially by understanding your symptoms and what triggers them for you. The majority of the people who have this disorder are able to live normal, healthy, pain-free lives, but they are the ones who have a good understanding of how the conditions effects them and made the appropriate lifestyle changes.
Susan Reynolds
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/so-you-have-an-irritable-bowel-treat-or-relieve-symptoms-with-these-methods-139445.html
