Is Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) considered a “serious illness?”

Although IBS does not cause premature death, it is associated with a significant healthcare and economic burden. According to studies, IBS patients have an increased number of medical visits, diagnostic tests, and surgeries. IBS can also have a negative impact on a person's quality of life.

What are the Rome Criteria?

The Rome Criteria is a classification system that is used to identify functional GI disorders, such as IBS depending on the basis of specific symptom patterns.

Can certain foods affect IBS symptoms?

This varies from person to person. Certain foods stimulate the GI tract in general, and eating too many of these may aggravate symptoms in people with IBS. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can assist you in identifying foods that are problematic for you. Also, in IBS, altered muscle and nerve function can cause the bowel to over-respond, causing symptoms even during normal digestion.

Is there any specific diet for IBS sufferers?

The gluten-free diet and low-FODMAP diet are one of the most common diets recommended by healthcare professionals to relieve IBS symptoms. Fermentable carbohydrates (also known as FODMAPs, which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are small carbohydrate (sugar) molecules found in common foods that may be poorly absorbed in some people's small intestine.

What is the difference between IBS and IBD?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two distinct gastrointestinal disorders, though the distinctions between the two can be confusing. IBD is an autoimmune disorder that causes severe inflammation and long-term damage to the intestines. IBS is characterized by issues with motility (the movement of contents through our intestines) and sensitivity (how the brain interprets sensations in the bowel). IBS symptoms may wax and wane and even disappear, whereas IBD is a chronic condition.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Reviewed By Dr. Sachin Gupta

MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated on: 19 Jun 2023 | 01:51 PM (IST)

Overview

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping, food intolerance, stool irregularities, increased gas and bloating.

The exact cause of IBS is not known, however, it is frequently associated with other comorbidities such as pain syndromes, overactive bladder, and migraine and psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety. It can present in many ways such as IBS with constipation, IBS with diarrhea, IBS with both diarrhea and constipation.

It is essential for IBS patients to identify their food triggers so that they can avoid them. Increased intake of dietary fiber, drinking plenty of water, avoiding soda, and eating smaller meals is beneficial to most patients in general.

The approach to treating IBS is based on the patient's predominant symptoms. Treatment comprises dietary and lifestyle modifications, and prescription medications like antidiarrheals, antispasmodics, bulking agents, osmotic laxatives, antidepressants, etc.

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Overview

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