Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system. It causes symptoms like stomach cramping, pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both. This is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management.
Most people with IBS have mild symptoms. Many find relief through changes in diet, lifestyle adjustments, and stress-management techniques. For those with more intense symptoms, medications and counseling can be helpful options.
Signs and Symptoms
IBS symptoms can last for long periods. Common signs include:
- Stomach pain, cramps, or bloating linked to bowel movements
- Changes in stool appearance
- Changes in how often you have bowel movements
- Feeling like you haven’t completely emptied your bowels
- Extra gas or mucus in your stool
IBS is recognized as a functional disorder. This means that while your digestive tract looks normal, it doesn’t work properly.
In a healthy digestive system, the muscles in your intestines contract and relax in a synchronized rhythm, efficiently guiding food from your stomach to your rectum.
For people with IBS, these contractions become stronger and last longer than they should. These spasms cause pain and disrupt normal food movement through your intestines.
If the process slows down, constipation occurs, and if it speeds up, diarrhea results. Many people switch between the two problems. People with IBS also tend to have more sensitive nerve endings in their digestive tract.
Small amounts of gas that wouldn’t bother most people might cause significant pain. This heightened sensitivity can lead to swelling and bloating as well.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Visit a doctor if you notice ongoing changes in your bowel habits or other IBS symptoms. These changes could signal a more serious condition, such as colon cancer.
Concerning symptoms that require medical attention include:
- Losing weight without trying
- Having diarrhea during the night
- Blood in your stool
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Unexplained vomiting
- Pain that doesn’t improve after passing gas or having a bowel movement
What Causes IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) does not have a singular, identifiable cause. Several factors are likely combined to trigger symptoms in people with this condition.
The intestinal muscles may not work properly in people with IBS. These muscles normally contract to move food through the digestive system. In IBS, these contractions may be too strong or too weak.
Problems with nerve signals between the brain and gut can also play a role. These faulty signals may make the digestive system extra sensitive. Normal digestive processes might then cause pain or discomfort.
Some people develop IBS after a bad stomach infection. This type of infection, called gastroenteritis, can change how the gut works. Too many bacteria growing in the intestines may also contribute to symptoms.
Childhood stress seems to increase the risk of developing IBS later in life. Research shows that difficult or traumatic experiences, especially during childhood, are linked to more IBS symptoms.
Gut microbes differ between people with IBS and those without it. These microbes help with digestion and immune function.
What Triggers IBS Symptoms
Certain factors can make IBS symptoms worse:
Common Food Triggers
- Wheat products
- Dairy foods
- Citrus fruits
- Beans and legumes
- Cabbage and similar vegetables
- Milk
- Fizzy drinks
Many people find their symptoms get worse after eating or drinking these items. While true food allergies rarely cause IBS, food sensitivities are common among people with this condition.
Stress and Emotional Factors
Stress doesn’t cause IBS, but it often makes symptoms worse. Most people with IBS notice that their symptoms get more severe or happen more often during stressful periods.
Risk Factors
People who may experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) more frequently include:
- Age: Those under 50 years old have higher rates of IBS.
- Gender: Women are diagnosed more often than men in the U.S.
- Hormones: Estrogen therapy increases risk in women before or after menopause.
- Family History: Having relatives with IBS may indicate genetic or environmental factors.
- Mental Health: People with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions face a higher risk.
- Trauma: Past sexual, physical, or emotional abuse is linked to an increased likelihood.
Complications
Persistent bowel issues like extended constipation or diarrhea can lead to hemorrhoids. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) often face additional challenges beyond the primary symptoms.
Impact on Daily Life
- Reduced quality of life, especially in moderate to severe cases
- Three times more missed workdays compared to people without bowel symptoms
- Limitations on regular activities and social interactions
Mental Health Effects
The relationship between IBS and mental health works in both directions:
- IBS symptoms can trigger depression or anxiety
- Existing depression or anxiety may worsen IBS symptoms