Irritable bowel syndrome is collection of symptoms due to irritation of thedigestive tract. Some of the symptoms that can arise due to IBS are: recurring stomach pain or cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that recurs.
IBS is more common in women and usually affects people under the age of 50. The emergence of IBS symptoms can be triggered by various things, including stress, consumption of certain foods and drinks, to hormonal changes, such as during menstruation.
Causes and Triggers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The exact cause of IBS is not known. However, the appearance of complaints and symptoms of IBS is thought to be related to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including impaired movement and muscle contraction, disorders of the nervous system, inflammation, infection, and changes in the balance of normal flora in the intestine.
Risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome
In addition, there are several factors and conditions that are thought to increase the risk of developing IBS, namely:
- Female gender
- Less than 40 years old
- Have a family history of IBS
- Having a bacterial or viral infection in the gastrointestinal tract that causes severe diarrhea
- Consuming certain foods or drinks, such as wheat, milk and dairy products, acidic fruits, and foods that contain gas, such as cabbage
- Have the habit of eating or drinking large amounts at once
- Experiencing stress or mental disorders, such as panic disorder, excessive anxiety, or depression
- Experiencing hormonal changes, including menstruation
- Using certain medications, such as antibiotics or antidepressants
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS will cause complaints and symptoms in the form of:
- Recurrent stomach pain or cramps
- Diarrhea or difficult bowel movements (constipation)
- bloating
These symptoms may come and go, subside on their own, get worse, or get better gradually. This condition can last for days, weeks, or months, and may recur. In addition, other symptoms that can appear when a person has IBS can include:
- Abdominal pain that usually subsides after a bowel movement (BAB)
- Can't resist the urge BAB
- Nausea and vomiting
- slimy CHAPTER
- Frequent burping or farting
- Tired easily
- Back pain
- Get full fast
- Decreased appetite
- Heartburn and stomach acid disease
Irritable bowel syndrome can cause different symptoms in each sufferer. However, in general IBS will cause 4 patterns of gastrointestinal disorders, namely:
- IBS-D, with the most prominent symptom being diarrhea
- IBS-C, with the most prominent symptom being constipation or constipation
- IBS-M, with mixed symptoms of diarrhea and constipation
- IBS-U, with atypical and unclassifiable symptoms
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the complaints and symptoms mentioned above. You also need to immediately consult a doctor if you experience any of the following danger signs:
- More frequent vomiting and difficulty swallowing
- Losing weight for no apparent reason
- Diarrhea at night
- Bloody stools or stools
- Shortness of breath and heart palpitations
- Skin looks pale
- A lump in the stomach or stomach swells
- Abdominal pain that does not improve after farting or defecating
Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The doctor will ask the patient's complaints, medical history, diet, and medications that have been used. Next, the doctor will examine the patient's abdomen.
Some of the examination techniques that can be done are to see or observe whether there is an enlargement of the abdomen, pressing or palpation to see if there is tenderness, tapping to detect the cause of swelling in the stomach, and listening to bowel sounds with the help of a stethoscope.
There is no specific test to diagnose IBS, but doctors need to do further tests to rule out other causes. Some of them are:
- Blood tests, to detect anemia, see electrolyte levels in the blood, and detect infections and inflammation that can cause complaints and symptoms
- Stool test by taking a stool sample, to detect the type of bacteria or parasites that can cause inflammation or infection in the digestive tract
- Endoscopy examination, to see the condition of the gastrointestinal tract and detect possible infections or structural abnormalities in the digestive tract
- Lactose intolerance test, to find out whether lactose intolerance is the underlying cause of complaints and symptoms
The diagnosis of IBS will usually be determined through the results of questions and answers (anamnesis), physical examination, and follow-up examinations given by the doctor. One of the criteria that doctors can use to diagnose IBS is the Rome IV criteria.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment
There is no cure or treatment for IBS yet. However, dietary adjustments and drug administration will be carried out to relieve complaints and prevent symptoms from appearing. If described further, the following methods of treating IBS will be given by the doctor:
Drugs
To relieve IBS symptoms, the doctor will give drugs in the form of:
- Anticholinergics, such as atropine
- Antispasmodics, such as hyoscine butylbromide
- Antidiarrheals, such as loperamide
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
- Purgative
- Fiber supplements
- Probiotic Supplements
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine
- Pain relievers, such as pregabalin or gabapentin
Diet modification
IBS sufferers also need to make dietary modifications, namely by avoiding, reducing, or even increasing the consumption of certain types of food gradually according to the symptoms experienced. Some examples of dietary modifications for people with IBS are:
- If you experience flatulence, the patient is advised to avoid foods that contain gas, such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, or chewing gum.
- If you have diarrhea, the patient is advised to reduce the consumption of high-fiber foods, such as wheat, or foods containing artificial sweeteners.
- If you are constipated, the patient is advised to increase the consumption of fiber-rich foods, such as figs, broccoli, or apples.
Lifestyle changes
In addition, lifestyle changes also need to be made to prevent IBS recurrence and relieve symptoms that arise. These lifestyle changes include:
- Get enough sleep, eat on time, and don't smoke
- Eat small portions of food
- Reduce consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and soft drinks
- Don't eat fatty food and canned food
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
- Consuming fruit in sufficient portions
- Chew food slowly and not in a hurry
- Undergoing psychotherapy, including behavior change therapy or hypnotherapy
- Doing regular exercise, such as aerobics, brisk walking, or cycling
- Managing stress in a positive way, for example with meditation or yoga
The duration of IBS treatment depends on the patient's general condition and the severity of the patient's symptoms. IBS sufferers need to have regular check-ups with the doctor so that their condition can be continuously monitored and the doctor can find out the response of the patient's body to the therapy given.
Complications of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disease. This condition can increase the risk of several complications, such as:
- Hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids)
- Decrease in work productivity
- Malnutrition
- Mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression
Prevention of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The exact cause of IBS is not known, so there is no way to completely prevent it. However, you can do the following things to lower your risk of developing IBS or prevent a recurrence of IBS:
- Avoiding the consumption of foods and drinks that cause IBS
- Eat slowly and not in a hurry
- Eat in moderation
- Eat nutritious food
- Exercise regularly at least 30 minutes a day
- Get enough sleep and don't stay up late
- Undergo therapy and medication given by the doctor on a regular basis
- Manage stress in positive ways, such as by reading a book or listening to music