5 Tips on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive problem also known as "spastic colon" or "irritable colon."

2. IBS symptoms include:
• Abdominal pain (colicky, periodic or continuous dull pain)
• Erratic bowel activity; frequent constipation or diarrhea
• Accompanying symptoms of bloating, nausea, headache, fatigue
• Sensitivity to intestinal gas (cramping, flatulence)

3. The cause of IBS is unknown:
• No evidence of specific disease
• May be triggered by psychological factors or ingestion of food

4. IBS is a condition that:
• Is more common in women
• Usually starts at an early age (20s and 30s) and recurs from time to time
• Rarely starts past age 55

5. Treatment of IBS includes:
• Careful explanation of the syndrome, including what it is not
• Better management of key triggers: stress and diet
• Modification of diet to reduce or exclude foods that promote gas
• Drug therapy to relieve symptoms (bulk fiber products, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals)
• Occasionally, psychiatric therapy and medication

Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice.
For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.

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