Some IBS symptoms include bloating, pain or discomfort in the abdomen and alterned bowel habits with either constipation or diarrhoea, or a combination of both.
The cause of IBS is still unknown, says Dr. Kelvin Thia, a specialist in gastroenterology and consulting at the Raffles Internal Medicine Centre in Raffles Hospital.
"It is postulated to be related to abdominal contractions of the small and large intestines. Some develop IBS after a bout of gastroenteritis even after the infection has been treated or resolved," he explains.
Also, people with IBS tend to suffer from anxiety or depression, which can affect the intestines.
Dr Thia adds," Many researchers believe that IBS is a result of heightened sensitivity in the bowel to normal sensations such as passage of air and food. Food intolerance are frequent among people with IBS symptoms, and certain foods have been known to reproduce IBS symptoms."
Help Available
Although a chronic condition, IBS is not a life-threatening bowel disorder. Neither does it increase the risk of bowel cancer. In fact, it is estimated that only 15% of those with IBS actually seek medical help. Many learn to adjust their diet to cope with the symptoms.
Watch Your Diet
Certain types of food can trigger IBS symptoms such as cramping and diarrhoea. But this, too, varies considerably among IBS sufferers.
Spicy food and food high in fat content are usually more difficult to digest and can contribute to bloating and diarrhoea.
Foods such as beans, brocolli and cabbage, which are not completely digested in the small intestine, can trigger IBS symptoms when digested in the colon and produce gas and cause cramps.
Caffeinated and carbonated drinks can also worsen IBS symptoms.
For some patients, avoiding foods such as bananas, onions and wheat help improve the symptoms.
One way to better manage IBS symptoms is to gradually increase one's fibre intake.
Regular exercise and getting a good night's sleep are also important in managing IBS, as are natural treatments as peppermint oil and probiotics, which are good bacteria that help with digestion.
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Yours sincerely,
Dawn Ho
