Irritable bowel syndrome: clinical and diagnostic features

Irritable bowel syndrome is currently one of the most common causes of abdominal pain and similar ailments. This recurrent disease occurs in people of different ages and sometimes occurs for completely obscure reasons. However, it most often occurs in women of working age. Despite the fact that many patients do not go to the doctor with this disease, it can cause life-threatening conditions. Therefore, this disease requires professional diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

To date, the exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome are not precisely known. But doctors are familiar with some factors that can lead to the development of this disease or contribute to its exacerbations. This:

1. Disruption of connections between the brain and intestines.
2. Impaired intestinal motility.
3. Low pain threshold. People who are overly sensitive to pain may experience similar symptoms when overeating. But at the same time, people who do not have hypersensitivity practically do not suffer from such ailment.
4. Problems of a psychological nature. Stress, panic attacks, depression and other ailments can also cause diseases of the intestines and digestive organs.
5. Heredity. Sometimes this syndrome can be inherited.
6. Hormonal disorders. Problems with hormonal levels can also cause intestinal dysfunction and pain. In addition, many women often experience discomfort in the intestinal area before or during their menstrual cycle. These symptoms are also associated with the action of hormones.
7. Bacterial gastroenteritis can also cause the disease.
8. Sometimes this problem is caused by excessive growth of bacteria in the intestines or the appearance of microorganisms in it that are unusual for this organ.
9. Poor nutrition. Alcohol, fast food, chips, carbonated water and other unhealthy and heavy foods can trigger this disease.

In addition, experts have repeatedly noted other reasons that cause similar problems with the intestines and digestion.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome has the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain and cramps that may stop after the bowels have been completely emptied;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Bloating and increased gas formation;
• Frequent and sudden urge to go to the toilet;
• A feeling that the bowels are full or not completely emptied, even if this is not the case;
• Discharge of mucus from the anus.

With this disease, all of the above symptoms, or some of them, may be present. Usually their manifestation is not constant, but is paroxysmal in nature. In most cases, an exacerbation can last up to four days. During the break between them, there are practically no unpleasant sensations or they are minimized. The break between exacerbations can be both long and short.

Since the presence of this disease is associated with many unpleasant sensations that can reduce the quality of life and create discomfort in the most ordinary life situations. Therefore, many patients become overly nervous and irritable. And some of them may be diagnosed with symptoms of depression. But all this does not indicate the presence of mental illness or psychological problems.

In addition, signs of irritable bowel syndrome can often be mistaken for manifestations of many other diseases. And many people, when unwell for a short time, even try to postpone a visit to a specialist, limiting themselves to independent methods of treatment. Such self-medication in most cases does not give the expected result, and sometimes can even significantly worsen the patient’s well-being.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

If you suspect the presence of this disease, you should immediately contact a specialist to receive quality treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. It is recommended to visit a therapist and gastroenterologist. But these doctors can also prescribe examinations from other specialists, if this is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis or prescribe medications.

Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed based on the presence of several symptoms. However, there are no special tests or other studies to establish this diagnosis. True, doctors can prescribe a general blood test, stool test, colonoscopy and some other types of studies to the patient.

Treatment regimen for irritable bowel syndrome

The treatment regimen for irritable bowel syndrome should include a complex of different methods. The main thing in improving the patient’s well-being is the normalization of his diet. In this case, you should completely exclude or significantly limit the consumption of alcohol, carbonated drinks, fast food, chocolate, tea, coffee and some other foods and drinks. You may also need to limit your intake of bran, whole grain bread, potatoes, and some berries and fruits. Avoiding sugar substitutes will also be helpful.

A diet to treat irritable bowel syndrome involves eating regularly without skipping meals. Also, patients with this disease should drink as much fluid as possible, at least seven times a day. Products containing oats can also alleviate their condition. In this case, you should definitely consult a nutritionist.

Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Treatments for irritable bowel syndrome may also include taking various medications. These usually include antispasmodics, as well as laxatives and antidiarrheals. Also, if there are signs of depression or depressed mood, antidepressants may be prescribed. Taking probiotics, which belong to the group of food additives, has a good effect. These drugs are not considered drugs. However, all medications for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome should be prescribed only by a doctor.

In some cases, treatment for irritable bowel syndrome may include visiting a psychologist. This will help the patient get rid of stress, and, most likely, normalize their food intake.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in adults

Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome in adults is usually complex. It includes proper diet, exercise, methods aimed at reducing stress and harmonizing mood, as well as drug therapy. Sometimes physical therapy can also be used. At the same time, treatment of irritable bowel syndrome during pregnancy should exclude drugs that can harm the normal development of the fetus or lead to miscarriage, as well as other unpleasant consequences. In addition, similar conditions may be associated with the characteristics of the pregnancy itself. Therefore, if such symptoms occur in pregnant women, you should definitely consult a gynecologist.

Causes of IBS

The exact cause of the pathology has not yet been established. It is assumed that the development of IBS can be provoked by factors such as inflammation and infection, as well as poor nutrition.

Normally, food moves through the gastrointestinal tract due to the rhythmic contractions and relaxations of intestinal smooth muscles. With TFR, this process becomes overly active or, conversely, slows down.

The rapid movement of food masses through the gastrointestinal tract leads to diarrhea in the patient due to lack of absorption of nutrients. Constipation occurs when food passes slowly.

There are also scientific studies that suggest that one of the causes of the pathology lies in mental disorders. Emotional overstrain, severe shock and stress disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and, in theory, can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in children

Sometimes children and teenagers can also suffer from this disease. Recently, treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in children has been carried out more and more often. This is due to the fact that modern schoolchildren are very busy with studies and additional clubs and sections. As a result, many of them are constantly stressed and cannot eat properly. In addition, some of today's children excessively abuse fast food and other unhealthy and heavy foods. In this case, the pediatrician, after confirming the diagnosis, recommends that such adolescents and children undergo regular physical activity, proper allocation of time for study and rest, as well as diet and regular meals, avoiding carbonated drinks, sweets with sugar substitutes and similar products. In this age group, home treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is not recommended. Indeed, for a fast-growing organism, limiting the consumption of vitamins and microelements can be disastrous. And some medications can cause irreparable harm to it. Therefore, only a doctor should select therapy and diet.

Drugs for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Drug therapy and medications for this disease can also be combined with some home techniques. Their use should not replace primary therapy and should be agreed with the attending physician. Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome with folk remedies may include acupuncture and reflexology. In addition, many diets and restrictions on the consumption of certain types of food can also be attributed to folk methods.

Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome at Home

It is also possible to treat irritable bowel syndrome with herbs. At the same time, consuming aloe vera has a good effect. In addition, some other herbs or herbal infusions can help improve well-being. Many types of folk laxatives and antidiarrheals based on herbs are effective. Such medications are now available in many pharmacies. They are distinguished by their low cost and minimal side effects. But at the same time, you should also consult a doctor when taking them. Such techniques are usually used only as auxiliary ones and cannot replace professional treatment prescribed by specialists.

It is believed that it is almost impossible to completely and permanently get rid of this problem, even with proper treatment and diet. But therapy in most cases helps reduce the number of exacerbations and improve their course. In the period between attacks, treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is quite possible at home. It includes proper diet and dietary restrictions. In addition, herbal prevention also helps to avoid exacerbations.

People diagnosed with this disease should avoid stress and manage their time properly. They should take care of regular meals and not limit themselves to snacks. Some patients are advised to change their work to a calmer and less intense one. Active sports and outdoor recreation give good results. A healthy psychological climate in the family also helps to reduce the manifestation of the disease. Therefore, treating irritable bowel syndrome at home can be not only a problem for the patient himself, but also a task for all members of his family.

Diagnostics

Since irritable bowel syndrome often disguises dangerous diseases, it is important to conduct a full diagnosis in order to rule it out. To do this, the following laboratory and instrumental studies are carried out:

• General blood analysis. It will help eliminate allergic reactions, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, inflammatory processes and chronic anemia.
• Bacteriological culture of feces. Determines the intestinal flora and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in it.
• Scatological analysis of stool. Using this study, the degree of digestion of food masses, the presence of fat, blood and other impurities in feces are assessed.
• X-ray of the intestines. Allows you to identify the functional failure of an organ and the presence of anatomical and organic changes in it.
• Fibrogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy are informative endoscopic studies. With their help, you can examine the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, the absence or presence of erosions, ulcerative defects and neoplasms, as well as their localization.

When visiting a patient for the first time, the specialist should pay special attention to complaints and medical history.