Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly known as IBS, is a group of symptoms associated with the digestive system. This gastrointestinal disorder leads to excessive buildup of gas, abdominal cramps, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, etc. Long-term health management is required because IBS is a chronic problem.
By managing diet, stress, and lifestyle, you can manage IBS. If you suspect you have IBS or symptoms like ongoing abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, too much gas, constipation or diarrhea, or both, mucus in your poop, consult a healthcare provider. See the best doctors of gastroenterology in Siliguri.
This reading talks mainly about IBS triggers. Medical experts or researchers don’t know the definitive cause of IBS, but severe infections, weak muscle contractions in the intestine, poor signals between the brain and intestine, exposure to stressful events in early life, changes occurring in gut microbes like fungi, bacteria, viruses that dwell in the intestine.
Knowing the IBS trigger
IBS triggers occur in people who have IBS. It’s the activation of IBS symptoms due to food intolerance, certain medication intake, stress, or lifestyle factors.
Diet or food choices
Food that can trigger IBS include highly processed foods like junk, chips, cookies, pastries, bread, cereals, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, carbonated or soda drinks, dairy products like milk, cheese, paneer, food containing excessive fiber, chocolate, gluten, large meals, fructose, fried foods, fatty foods, etc. Visit the best gastro hospital in Siliguri city.
Emotional and mental state of mind
Stress, nervousness, tension, or anxiety can make your IBS symptoms worse, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, etc. Sources of stress and anxiety include problems at home, relationship issues, financial issues, work, when things go out of your control, etc.
Meds or drugs
Certain medications trigger diarrhea, while other drugs trigger constipation. Such meds include meds with sorbitol (cough syrup), a few antidepressants, antibiotics, etc.
Menstruation
IBS symptoms can become worse during menstrual periods. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone impact your period, gut, and IBD symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and vomiting.
Besides these triggers, chewing gums, quick eating habits, eating while driving or working, and consuming spicy, artificial sweeteners. These things can lead to a flare-up of IBS. You might make an appointment with the top doctor of gastroenterology in Siliguri.
Symptoms of IBS like diarrhea at night, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, abdominal pain that persists even after passing gas or bowel movements, Throwing up, rectal bleeding show the condition is more serious. Reaching out to a doctor like a general physician or gastroenterologist is a must.
Unmanaged IBS can lead to mood disorders like depression, and anxiety. As per reports, women are more likely to develop IBS than men and it’s associated with the fluctuations in female sex hormones that are estrogen and progesterone. Plus, family history, severe digestive tract infections, history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse are major risk factors for IBS.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive system disorder in which a person experiences multiple symptoms that impacts his/her daily life.
Irritable bowel syndrome affects 10-15% of the population around the world, but the exact cause of IBS is unknown.
The occurrence of IBS is higher in women than in men.
People with a prior digestive tract infection, stressful lifestyle, and family history of IBS are more likely to develop the disorder [NIH].
Irritable bowel syndrome is of three types – irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and irritable bowel syndrome with alternating constipation and diarrhea (IBS-A).
