Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by unpleasant conditions such as stomach pain, cramping, gas, diarrhea and constipation. Some sufferers may feel that there is simply nothing they can do to alleviate these symptoms. However, a healthy combination of diet, medicine and relief from stress can help to control IBS symptoms and allow sufferers to enjoy life again.

Normal digestion occurs when the muscles in the intestines contract to move food and waste through the body. Irritable bowel syndrome is usually caused by those muscles contracting harder and longer than in a normal person without the syndrome. Doctors usually diagnose a person with irritable bowel syndrome after several tests have ruled out more serious problems.

Doctors really don’t know what causes IBS, but some suspect that IBS may be stress related. When you have IBS the nerves and muscles in the bowel seem to be extra sensitive. The muscles may contract to much when you eat causing pain. These contractions may cause diarrhea while eating or shortly after.

Diet
Since there are certain types of foods that are a major factor in the cause of IBS, these foods should be avoided. The following types foods includes foods that are high in fat, dairy, citrus, chocolate, red meats, alchohol and wheat.

Your Doctor may suspect that you have IBS due to your symtoms. There are specific symptoms that a doctor will look for which is called the “Rome Criteria”. Your doctor may order other medical tests to be sure that you don’t have another health problem that causes the same symptoms. To diagnose IBS you may be asked to take some blood tests and a physical exam. Some other tests that may be included are a Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Series, which x-rays your abdomen to see any problems in the Large Intestine. Another test is a Colonoscopy, which is when the doctor inserts a tiny camera into your colon to take pictures to see if there are any problems there.

Although IBS is very painful it does not cause any long lasting damage to the colon.

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