Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Posts Tagged ‘symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome’

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What is it?

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Basically Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that affects the stomach and the intestines. It is also considered to be a common disorder affecting millions of people in the US.

Although there are no treatments yet for IBS but there are methods of controlling its symptoms. Here are some of the ways of how you can control IBS:

• It is very important that you consult your doctor or your dietitian before you try experimenting with various IBS treatments. This way you will know whether the treatment fits you or not. If you are considering changing your diet still try to get the advice of your doctor. Self-medication is a no-no since it may do you more harm than good.

• Peppermint was found out to control symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The used of peppermint to relieve stomach pain has been handed down through generations and now used to control symptoms of IBS.

However, it should be noted that different people reacts differently to things which is in this case peppermint. It may sooth IBS symptoms of others but may not work for some.

• Changing your diet may also help in controlling IBS symptoms. Most of the animal products such as milk, meat and cheese are hard to digest and often triggers IBS symptoms.

So avoid eating them. It would also help if you can keep a food diary in where you can keep a record of the food that triggers symptoms of IBS in you. This way you will be guided on the food that you have to avoid.

• Relax your mind. Stress was also found out to cause IBS flare-ups. If you are one of those IBS patients that is experiencing too much stress then it’s high time that you set an appointment with your psychiatrist for a hypnosis session.

This is because hypnosis was found out to lessen stress. However make sure that you choose a reputable psychiatrist just to be on the safe side. Another stress relieving method is acupuncture. It lowers down stress level and therefore helping in controlling IBS symptoms.

• Gas is one factor that causes much pain for most IBS patients. Avoiding food that cause gassiness also helps in avoiding IBS flare-ups. Cut down your intake of cabbage, some beans, broccoli and other foods that worsen IBS symptoms.

• Enema of water is growing in popularity among IBS patients. In fact a great number of IBS patients are now relying on weekly enema of water to help in controlling their IBS systems. Again this may work for some but not for all.

You may consult your doctor if it suits you or not. It is very important that you get your doctor’s advice before trying any IBS treatment. This way you will be properly guided on the treatment that you need plus you also get to avoid worsening your condition.

• The fight to control your IBS symptoms is a never-ending process. You should always try to research on the various treatments available for you. But don’t forget to consult your doctor always since any treatment will have an adverse effect on your medical condition and also on your personal life.

If you can join an IBS support group in your area then so much the better. You will feel more relax knowing that you are not alone having such problem. This may actually help you in controlling stress that often leads to IBS flare-ups.

Tags: flare ups, hypnosis session, IBS Symptoms, irritable bowel syndrome, meat and cheese, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
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Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

The Hunt for the Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that is relatively prevalent among people aged 20 years and above. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed syndromes yet one of the issues that people tend not to talk about.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by frequent cramping of the stomach, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. These cause a great deal of distress and discomfort but will never lead to more aggravated condition since it does not cause permanent harm on the sufferer.

While there is a common pattern for most patients, still the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from patients to patients.

Some may experience single symptoms, say constipation. Many people though report of having cramping or straining without any or minimal release of stool. These people experience mucus release along with their bowel too. Mucus is a fluid-form lubricant that helps moisten the digestive passages for easier release of digested materials.

Some patients, on the other hand, undergo diarrhea, which is characterized with frequent release of uncontrollable watery stools. But some endure alternate constipation and diarrhea.

The ceasing of symptoms does not imply the stoppage of the syndrome all together though. Many people find it more difficult to deal with irritable bowel syndrome after a few months of subsided syndromes.

While many cases of this syndrome are regularly reported worldwide, there are still no known causes that would determine the proper treatments. Many researchers agree that this may have a relation on the colon or the large bowel that is especially reactive to specific stresses and food elements.

Others argue that this is largely affected by the efficiency of the immune system.

Persons with this condition are known to have irregular motility or movement of the large colon. This is termed to as spasmodic but other patients display temporary cessation of intestinal movement.

IBS is frequently linked with bacterial infection found in the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers observed that people who have developed gastroenteritis have greater likelihood of also developing IBS.

In addition, it is found that irritable bowel syndrome heightens once susceptibility over anxiety and stress which in return aggravate the condition. Similarly, many symptoms of IBS cause depression and anxiety.

Other patients projected links with irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease, which is the inability of a person to digest gluten. Gluten is the substance found in wheat, barley, eye and flour that basically help in the coagulation of the bread. Patients of celiac disease have immune systems that respond to gluten by damaging the small intestine. The presence of celiac disease along with IBS can be checked through blood tests.

Tags: food elements, irritable bowel syndrome, large bowel, stomach bloating, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, watery stools
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its Effects on Cats

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not only common among humans but also among animals particularly cats. Basically, the IBS that is experienced by people is the same type that cats also feel.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome among cats is the same gastrointestinal disorder that is also felt by human. The large and/or small intestines are also affected.

IBS in cats usually affects the contractions of the digestive tract resulting to irregular bowel movement. Aside from that, IBS also interferes with the normal distribution of food and waste material inside the cat’s body resulting to the accumulation of toxins and mucus in the cat’s intestines.

These accumulated toxins often obstruct the normal function of the digestive tract. In the process gas and stool are trapped causing bloating, constipation and distention.

It is also surprising to note that the same IBS factors in human have been identified to cause the same effects among cats. Factors causing IBS such as stress, overuse of antibiotics, poor eating habits, bacterial, and viral infection, parasites and food allergies were found to affect cats as well.

Likewise, a blockage is also very common among cats since they love to chew as well as swallow objects. This too can trigger IBS symptoms.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Cats

It would be surprising to note that cats and humans exhibit the same Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. And here are some of them:

• Constipation among cats is just like in humans. It is also exhibited by hard, small, pebble-like stools, which make bowel movement very difficult.
• Diarrhea is a more frequent bowel movement wherein the stool is often soft and watery. Cats with IBS usually experience successive loose bowel movement alternating with constipation.
• Abdominal pain is also common among cats with IBS. The pain can range from mild to severe.
• The presence of mucus in the stool is also a common sign of IBS.
• Another symptom of IBS that may be observed in cats is vomiting and nausea.
• Gas pain or flatulence is also an indication of IBS in cats
• Bloating
• Intolerance to certain types of foods
• Anorexia which most of you may think is only common to us human but surprisingly is also exhibited by our feline friends.

Treating Your Cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Since Irritable Bowel Syndrome involves many factors, it is very important that you have your cats examined by a veterinarian.

This way you will know what’s triggering IBS symptoms in your pet cats. In case you prefer to apply natural methods in controlling your pet’s IBS symptoms still it is better to consult first a veterinarian before applying any type of IBS treatment to your cat to avoid further complications.

A change in your cat’s diet is also a good way to control Irritable Bowel syndrome. However make sure that you consult a veterinarian or a nutritionist to provide your cat with a personalized diet and program.

Feeding your cat with the right type of food is still the best way to control your cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Cats like humans prefer different types of foods. There are some cats that like eating raw food while there are some that prefers home cooking or canned food.

It is very important that you try to experiment with foods that work for your cat. If you can keep a food journal in which you can jot down foods that your cat needs to avoid then so much the better. This will guide you on the proper food to give your cat and in turn keeps IBS symptoms in control.

Tags: frequent bowel movement, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, loose bowel movement, mucus in the stool, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Different Types of Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

As any person suffering from this illness can tell you, Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be hell. This is partly because of the fact that even though the disease is not fatal, it is also incurable. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can greatly affect the personal lives of the people who suffer from it.

This is the reason why people suffering from this illness try to find different irritable bowel syndrome treatments to help them keep the symptoms under control.

There are different irritable bowel syndrome treatments and their effectiveness can vary depending on the case of each person. Let us examine some of these treatments:

1) Alternative therapy – Studies have shown that stress and psychology has a great effect on the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome. This is the reason why people sometimes turn to alternative Irritable bowel syndrome treatment. Alternative therapy consists of various treatments not included in western medicine. Here are some examples:

a) Acupuncture – acupuncture is one of the most effective types of alternative irritable bowel syndrome treatments available today. Acupuncture works differently for many sufferers of Irritable bowel syndrome. This is mainly because of the fact that practitioners of this art treat this illness on a case-to-case basis. How does acupuncture work as an irritable bowel syndrome treatment?

Well, acupuncture tries to release blockages in a person’s Qi or life force. This is done through placing needles in various points of the body. Don’t worry because acupuncture needles are specially made to be so thin that they cannot cause any pain. Mainly, the benefit of acupuncture is the alleviation of pain caused by the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome.

b) Yoga – As said before, studies have shown that stress has a huge effect on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Many people turn to yoga in order to help them calm their minds and thus, eliminate stress from their lives. Although yoga treats no specific aspects of irritable bowel syndrome, this treatment is recommended to prevent those symptoms by making sure that a person is in a relaxed state of mind.

c) Herbal – As we all know, modern medicines have a history going back to old herbs. Herbal treatments today are known to treat a variety of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Treatments are also made on a case to case basis. A person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome would tell the herbalist the symptoms that he or she is suffering from and the herbalist would give him or her the combination of herbs that would help.

2) Medical – People who have Irritable bowel syndrome often turn to doctors in order to help them with the symptoms. This type of irritable bowel syndrome treatment is often more convenient to people. It is also widely trusted mainly because people do understand it better. There are two main types of medical irritable bowel syndrome treatments:

a) Drug Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome – People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome are given prescriptions of various medicines to help them cope with the symptoms of the illness. Often, these drugs are used to alleviate pain, stabilize the digestive process, and stop depression. People often need to take a combination of these drugs as part of their irritable bowel syndrome treatment.

b) Psychology – Many agree that proper counseling is still the best type of irritable bowel syndrome treatment today. People who suffer from this disease often only make it worse by worrying constantly about it. Psychological counseling would do wonders as a part of a patient’s irritable bowel syndrome treatment.

Tags: acupuncture needles, alternative therapy, irritable bowel syndrome, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, western medicine
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Alternative Healing for Irritable Bowels

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

Irritable bowels can be quite disturbing to the pace of life. Although it is not fatal, the fact that it is incurable can be hell on a person’s lifestyle. This is because the symptoms associated with irritable bowels are quite uncomfortable and often need the immediate attention of a person.

People sometimes turn to modern medicines in order to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

However, some people prefer to go the alternative ways and use traditional healing in order to rid themselves of the discomfort caused by irritable bowels. Here are some types of alternative healing being used by people today:

1) Acupuncture – This art is based on the knowledge of life energy known as Qi (pronounced as chi). It is said that a blockage or imbalance in one’s Qi can cause various illnesses in a person. Acupuncturists attempt to remove this blockage through the use of small needles. The needles are used to stimulate various pressure points in a person’s body. This stimulation then makes it possible for a person’s Qi to become balanced.

Acupuncture is also used to relieve stress and induce relaxation in an individual. Some people may wonder how sticking needles into one’s body can relieve stress and pain. However, the procedure is actually painless. This is because the needles used in acupuncture are too small to actually cause pain to nerves. However, if you are queasy about needles, you could always turn to acupressure. Acupressure stimulates nerves and pressure points through specialized massage and not needles.

2) Herbalism – Many people have found that certain herbs can be very beneficial in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. There are two main forms of herbs that are used in treating symptoms of irritable bowels:

a) Teas – Herbs are often boiled or steeped in hot water to make teas. The process of steeping the different herbs in hot water releases various enzymes and nutrients that are needed to soothe the symptoms of irritable bowels. Thus, when a person drinks the tea, he or she is assured to get the nutrients that he or she needs from the various herbs. It is often the case that different types of herbs are used in making a type of tea. This could be to improve the efficacy of the tea or to improve the flavor.

b) Capsules – Several types of herbs are also taken in the form of capsules. These capsules may either contain the essential nutrients of a certain herb or it could contain the essential oils of various plants.

Why do they need to be encapsulated? Well, oil can be very irritating to the digestive system. It can trigger the symptoms of irritable bowels even before it reaches the stomach. By coating the herbs in a capsule, the nutrients would be able to pass through the stomach and work its effects on the intestine. In this way, it can help relieve the symptoms without causing an irritation.

3) Hypnosis – It said that the state of a person’s mind can affect irritable bowels. Some people undergo hypnosis in order to help them find the proper mindset and so they can control the symptoms of irritable bowels. Hypnosis is used to try and control a person’s subconscious and allows him or her to release stress. This hypnotherapy treatment is recommended for people who have mild cases of irritable bowel syndrome.

Tags: alternative healing, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowels, knowledge of life, pressure points, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
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What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Friday, October 17th, 2008

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

People who encounter the term “irritable bowel syndrome” are often confused as to what that illness is. Many wonder about the various symptoms associated with the term.

What is irritable bowel syndrome? In order to properly understand this illness, a person should learn about these factors:

1) Symptoms – These are the common manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome in human beings. In a sense, the symptoms tell what irritable bowel syndrome is by telling you how it affects your body. In the past, it was actually quite difficult to answer the question of “what is irritable bowel syndrome?” by looking at the symptoms.

You see, irritable bowel syndrome is not really a disease. It is a “syndrome” mainly because it is a group of symptoms.

This is because of the fact that some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome contradict each other. For instance, some people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome experience diarrhea while some people experience constipation.

2) Causes – As said before, irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease. It is actually a disorder. It is important to know this in order to understand what irritable bowel syndrome is. Many people misunderstand irritable bowel syndrome because they do not really understand its causes.

Some people may think that irritable bowel syndrome is caused by eating some sort of food that does not agree with one’s digestion. Others may think that irritable bowel syndrome is caused by a virus or bacteria of some sort.

However, one thing you need to understand about irritable bowel syndrome is the fact that it is not really “caused” by anything. Irritable bowel syndrome is a state in which your bowels do not function properly. This condition then leads to the various symptoms that people experience.

3) Triggers – In order to truly know what irritable bowel syndrome is, people should be able to understand the different things that trigger its symptoms. There are two main triggers of irritable bowel syndrome:

a) Stress – Studies have shown that stress can have a huge impact on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, the stress caused by knowing that a person has irritable bowel syndrome can trigger that person’s symptoms. This is the reason why counseling is part of the treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.

This is also the reason why people today turn to alternative therapies for their treatment. Some people take up yoga or go through the process of acupuncture to help them relieve stress.

b) Food – Eating the wrong type of food can definitely trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Foods that have a high fat content should be avoided by people with IBS. Alcohol should also be avoided as it is a known trigger of the symptoms of IBS.

c) Treatments- Knowing what irritable bowel disease is also involves knowing about the various treatments that are used to relieve the symptoms of it. There are various drugs that are in use today to help stop one or more of its symptoms. However, since irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease, it is also incurable.

What a person suffering from this illness can do is to try and keep the symptoms at bay by using different treatments like specialized diets and relaxation techniques.

By keeping these various factors in mind, a person can answer the question of “what is irritable bowel syndrome?”

Tags: bowels, different things, irritable bowel syndrome, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, what is irritable bowel syndrome
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Posts Tagged ‘symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome’

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What is it?

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its Effects on Cats

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

Alternative Healing for Irritable Bowels

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

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