Irritable Bowel Syndrome - More than just havin the sh*ts??

We have all been in this situation....

You are at home, or in your car, or out in public - and you feel a powerful sensation overwhelm your body. It is a sensation that overtakes all other thoughts at the time, it forces to to drop everything that you are doing and focus all your attention on only one thing:

FINDING THE NEAREST TOILET AS FAST AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.

Since what is about to take place could be called by some as "an explosion of immense proportion".

We have all had that forced mad dash to the toilet for an "excretion" that was urgent, powerful, and without question - could not have been delayed any longer.

So, is the above mentioned scenario a case of diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, or just a good ol' fashioned "case of the sh*ts...".

Most people have a good understanding of diarrhea, and most people understand a good "case of the sh*ts....But many people do not have a firm grasp of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In this article we will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments of this disorder.

The most common IBS symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It does not lead to serious disease and does no harm to the digestive system. IBS can cause a great deal of stress, in that people with the disorder may find it hard to attend social events, travel, or even work. They feel the need to have a toilet near by at all times.

Interestingly enough it has been said that as many as 20% of the adult population have symptoms of IBS.

As we have all had some of the symptoms of IBS before - it really becomes a "disorder" when it begins to affect your everyday life.

So what causes IBS? Researchers have yet to find a specific cause. Some possible theories include:

• A colon or large intestine that is particularly sensitive to certain foods and stress.
• Normal movement may not be present in the colon of a person with IBS.
• May be caused by a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract.
• People with IBS may have a slight celiac disease. People with celiac disease cannot digest gluten, a substance found in wheat, rye, and barley.

There is no specific test for IBS. It is often diagnosed based on your symptoms.

Many doctors use lists similar to the following in diagnosing IBS:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort for at least 12 weeks out of the previous 12 months.
• Abdominal pain that is relieved by a bowel movement.
• A change frequency of bowel movements.
• A change in appearance of bowel movements.
• Feelings of urgency to have a bowel movement
• Difficulty in passing a stool

Symptoms such as bleeding, fever, weight loss, and severe pain are not symptoms of IBS - and those symptoms should be handled appropriately.

The following have been known to aggravate the symptoms of IBS:

• Large meals
• Wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products, or alcohol
• Drinks with caffeine
• Stress

There are no cures for IBS at this time. But below is list of things that can help manage the symptoms of IBS.

• Medications to decrease diarrhea
• Fiber or laxatives to help with constipation
• Manage stress - stress can stimulate colon spasms in people with IBS
• Regular exercise
• Counseling and support
• Adequate Sleep
• Water Intake - drink at least 8 glasses a day
• Healthy Diet - avoiding foods that tend to aggravate symptoms

By implementing some, or all of the above ideas sufferers of IBS can better manage it, and lead a normal life - without having to always worry where the closest restroom is located.