You may know someone who suffers from IBS — Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You may not know what it means to have IBS.
If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you probably experience abdominal discomfort or even pain, often in the lower abdomen, but the location and intensity may change. You also experience a change in bowel habit, and may frequently experience constipation or diarrhea — or both in turn. Many people who suffer from IBS can also experience fatigue, muscle pain, headache, lower back pain, and sleep problems. As many as half of all IBS sufferers may also experience heartburn, bloating, and nausea.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is caused by a sort of dysfunction between the brain and the digestive system. Something in the central nervous system tells the bowels to become overly sensitive, resulting in the discomfort of IBS. Stress, hormones, and diet can affect the symptoms of IBS.
If you think you may have IBS, consider the following diagnostic criteria:
- You have experienced at least twelve weeks of abdominal discomfort or pain in the last year
- The pain may be relieved by moving your bowels
- The onset of pain coincides with a change in bathroom habits (especially the frequency of bowel movements)
- You have a feeling of bloating
- The frequency of bowel movements increases dramatically (more than three times per day) or decreases dramatically (less than three times per week)
There isn’t any one diagnostic test you can ask your doctor for if you suspect you may have IBS. The criteria above deal with the specific symptoms of IBS, but could also be caused by other digestive problems.
If you think you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the best thing to do is call your doctor and schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns. Keep a diary of when your attacks occur, the duration and symptoms, and what you have eaten. The more prepared you are, the better chance you and your doctor have of making a correct diagnosis!