IBS is a condition associated
with an upset bowel. It is extremely common in the UK
with about 20% of the population being affected at some
point in their lives. Approximately 10 percent of the
adult population is diagnosed with IBS. Of those that go
to their GPs (General Practitioners) with IBS, in our
Western society, women outnumber men 4:1; however the
incidence of IBS occurring is (NICE 2008) approximately
2:1 females to males, perhaps apart from biological
differences demonstrated by some females’ experiences of
IBS being worse when menstruating, men are possibly more
uncomfortable about going to their doctors about their
bowel habits.
So you are not alone!
People with IBS experience a number of symptoms such as bloating, abdominal cramps, spasms, diarrhoea and constipation. Symptoms affect people indifferent ways and can be changeable and highly unpredictable; symptoms can rapidly change from being mild to severe.
There are two main types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
IBS-C (Constipation based) and
IBS-D (Diarrhoea based);
however the syndrome can also alternate between the two (IBS-A) or just present pain (IBS-P).
IBS is a functional disorder: that is a disorder showing symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified. It is not a disease. A disease is a health condition in which there is an observable and measurable disease process, e.g. inflammation or tissue damage.
The significant involvement in IBS of the autonomic nervous system that controls the peristalsis (waves of contraction and relaxation) that progresses digested food through the gut is the underlying reason why hypnotherapy is a most effective treatment.
In IBS this peristalsis is replaced by the Colon occasionally going into spasm and increasing/decreasing the speed of transit of the digested food through the gut; however IBS is now recognised as being multifactorial (i.e. having many factors to it) including hypersensitivity (heightened sensitivity) of the bowel in diarrhoea based IBS and hyposensitivity (reduced sensitivity) of the bowel in constipation based IBS. Thus the diarrhoea/constipation and abdominal pains. It also has a genetic link as it does tend to run in families and there are psychological factors too.
The spasms can be triggered by stress, anxiety, caffeine, nicotine, movement /exercise or even just eating something.
One of the most distressing aspects of IBS is the fear of incontinence and therefore having the need to know that a loo is available nearby should an attack suddenly occur.
People with IBS may also experience many other symptoms which can include:-
Stabbing, churning or griping abdominal pain
Bloating/swelling of the abdomen
Constipation and/or (or alternating) diarrhoea
Excessive wind (flatulence or belching)
Urgent need to empty their bowels/incontinence
Sharp internal pains felt in the bowel
Anxiety and depression, and
Dizziness, tiredness, headaches, backache, muscle/joint pains, indigestion & nausea.
Certain food types also can be common triggers for 'attacks' of IBS. These can include:_
Fats and oils
Red meat
Dairy produce and eggs
Coffee, tea and cola (caffeine containing drinks)
Frozen/very cold foods and drinks
Fermenting vegetables (sprouts, cabbage, carrots etc), citrus fruits and raw vegetables.