Your Options For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

One of the first things to remember when you learn about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is that it is not a disease, but a functional disorder of the bowel, or the large intestine. This means that the bowel is not working the way it should normally work. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is also called a spastic colon. The bowel is that organ of our digestive system which makes and stores stool. The word syndrome means a group of symptoms. This disorder is called a syndrome because it is usually manifested through various symptoms, like cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and/or constipation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common reasons for going to a gastroenterologist. There are basically three types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Irritable Bowel Syndrome with alternating stool pattern. The typical symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are lower abdominal pain and a feeling of bloating along with alternate diarrhea and constipation. A feeling of relief post defecation is a frequent occurrence too. Some people can get an acute attack of IBS, while some may develop this disorder after an infectious illness - usually accompanied by fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Instances are not rare when people develop Irritable Bowel Syndrome as a result of emotional stress. It is a fact that the bowel can react adversely to many things including food, exercise or even hormonal changes or imbalance.

Foods that are associated with causing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Are milk and milk products, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and foods rich in fat. Overeating at times can also trigger IBS symptoms. Women tend to develop IBS symptoms during menstrual periods.

The three main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are

* Abdominal pain

* Diarrhea or constipation which is painful

* Diarrhea or constipation or both

Other symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome could be :

* Mucus in stool

* Feeling of swollen or bloated abdomen

* Feeling of dissatisfaction after defecation, as if it is still incomplete

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome give sure signals to the Doctor that you are suffering from the disorder. This will be confirmed by some laboratory tests. These tests are done to rule out any other disease or condition that you could be suffering from.

Medical Tests for Irritable Bowel Syndrome or spastic colon

* Physical exam

* Blood tests

* Bowel X Ray

* Endoscopy: where the doctor can look inside of the bowel after inserting a thin tube into your bowel. The tube has a camera in it, enabling the doctor to check.

While Irritable Bowel Syndrome or spastic colon can not be cured fully, you can take steps to reduce symptoms and get relief. Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome or spastic colon involves :

* Changes in your diet pattern (both quantity and quality of food that you eat)

* Drugs for symptom relief

* Living a stress-less life.

A judicious combination of these may be good for you to see which works best.