Irritable Bowel Syndrome: See Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

*This text has been written based on the information received from health institutions and organizations, hospitals and health professionals. If you or someone you know has any of the symptoms described here, we recommend seeing a doctor as soon as possible.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a health problem that affects people all over the world. The causes of the condition are still unknown to the medical community, but there are treatments that can deal with the pain and other symptoms.

The intestinal walls are covered with muscles. Their function is to guide the food being processed as it passes through the digestive tract. Thus, they contract and relax in a regular harmony.

However, in some people, the contraction may be stronger and last longer than usual. This is exactly the reason why. abdominal discomfort which can often be extremely painful.

What causes irritable bowel syndrome?

The causes of the disease are still largely unknown. Experts now believe there are a number of factors – poor diet, stress, hormonal imbalance and comorbidities – that contribute to the condition.

In some cases, for example, symptoms may occur after eating a certain food. This can be a strong indication that the patient may have an allergy or intolerance to certain ingredients.

Individuals suffering from stress also often complain of characteristic abdominal pain. In these cases, experts argue that when the condition is already present, the factor motivated by other reasons may be an aggravating factor.

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Finally, with people may develop gastroenteritis or acute diarrheal attacks syndrome. This evidence suggests a link between irritable bowel and other health conditions.

What are the symptoms of the syndrome?

Besides the causes, the symptoms of the disease can also vary greatly between people. The most common problem reported to doctors is severe abdominal pain caused by muscle contractions around the intestines.

Also, bloating, gas, diarrhea, the presence of mucus in the stool, or constipation can be signs of the condition. Although often chronic, the symptoms become more or less intense over time.

Only on the basis of patient reports can the doctor diagnose the complication. In other cases, exams are required, primarily feces.

Additionally, a specialist may order a blood test to rule out anemia and test for allergies to different ingredients. Even more rarely, he may also order an endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy to assess the condition.

Which foods should be avoided?

patients with abdominal discomfort caused by the syndrome Some foods that may be considered harmful should be avoided. Most are products with a lot of fat or sugar – among them, sorbitol Its use in mints and chewing gums is of particular concern.

In addition, substances such as alcohol and caffeine are harmful and their consumption should be low or moderate.

Some foods that promote gas production are also contraindicated because they require more effort from the gut during digestion. In people with lactose intolerance, milk and its derivatives should also be set aside a little.

On the other hand, fiber-rich meals such as oatmeal are allowed. Fruits and vegetables (zucchini, chives, carrots), lean meats (fish or chicken), oilseeds and tubers (cassava, potatoes and yams) are also allowed.

How is it treated?

There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome. Despite this, symptoms can be treated to alleviate the patient’s condition. To do this, a specialist doctor will recommend an approach that combines behavior modifications and medications.

At first, Changing eating habits is very important both in relieving symptoms and preventing future occurrences. However, it is also recommended that the patient try to perform physical activities.

In cases where the crisis is psychological, such as stress, it is important to seek ways to cope with this source. This can be done with the help of psychologists from different branches, but especially with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which can alleviate symptoms.

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Irritable bowel syndrome is a health problem that affects people all over the world every year. Although there is no cure, Is it possible to live with the problem without suffering from its symptoms? for years. A healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity, is the first step in this direction.