| Irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, is defined as a | | | | understood, it does seem that with IBS the actual |
| medical health disorder most often characterized | | | | movement of the digestive tract is impaired. But |
| by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, | | | | there does not to appear to be any change in the |
| and diarrhea. Causing a significant amount of pain | | | | physical structure of the digestive tract such as |
| and distress, irritable bowel syndrome can | | | | inflammation or growths. The symptoms of |
| interrupt your life to the point that you stop | | | | irritable bowel syndrome are related to the |
| participating in those things that you have always | | | | miscommunication between the brain and the |
| enjoyed, such as family outings, social activities or | | | | intestinal tract. It is this miscommunication which |
| even traveling. Unfortunately for many, irritable | | | | causes the abnormal muscle contractions in the |
| bowel syndrome is completely debilitating. This is a | | | | gut. The primary symptoms of irritable bowel |
| depressing health fact. Irritable bowel syndrome is | | | | syndrome are abdominal pain or discomfort that is |
| not thought to permanently harm your intestines | | | | accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, or at |
| and is not currently known to lead to more | | | | times both. Mucus in the stools and abdominal |
| serious conditions, such as cancer. However, with | | | | bloating are also often seen in IBS. The signs and |
| the life control that this disease can claim, it can | | | | symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are |
| be a serious threat to your health. There are | | | | generally easy to describe and certainly get your |
| many IBS sufferers who have learned to control | | | | attention. These signs are typically used by your |
| IBS symptoms with lifestyle changes such as | | | | healthcare provider to diagnose this intestinal |
| stress management and dietary changes as well | | | | disorder. Additional tests such as a flexible |
| as prescription medications when necessary. While | | | | sigmoidoscopy are used to rule out other possible |
| it is not a pleasant thought to consider, the signs | | | | causes for your symptoms. If you are looking to |
| and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome occur | | | | improve your health and to get control of your |
| as a result of the muscles of the intestinal organs | | | | IBS, then it is important to work with your |
| or either the nerves that control the organs do | | | | physician to custom design a treatment plan just |
| not function properly. With the malfunction of the | | | | for your symptoms. IBS is a manageable |
| muscles or the nerves, the organs themselves | | | | condition. Working with your physician, learning to |
| stop functioning normally. Irritable bowel syndrome | | | | manage your lifestyle and avoiding foods that are |
| can certainly take over your life. There are far | | | | known to trigger your symptoms is a great way |
| too many stories of patients being at a party or | | | | to start. Some foods known to be trigger foods |
| a lovely dinner out with family and friends with | | | | for IBS are dairy products, chocolate, caffeine |
| the IBS begins to act up causing your gut to | | | | and fatty foods. There is no cure for irritable |
| begin to rumble and then you have to rush out | | | | bowel syndrome but there are definitely some |
| knocking others out of your way in a mad dash | | | | lifestyle changes that you can make if you are |
| to the reach the bathroom in the nick of time! | | | | looking to restore your health and learn to |
| Not a pretty sight. While the cause of irritable | | | | manage your IBS. |
| bowel syndrome is not particularly well | | | | |