We get irritated for various reasons and our behaviour is unpredictable, our bowels too can get irritated and uncomfortable. We experience pain, and our bowel functions go haywire (we either suffer constipation or diarrhoea), with or without additional discomfort in the form of nausea, bloating of the abdomen, poor appetite, weight loss, fatigue, or stools with blood/mucus. Generally referred to as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), these symptoms are familiar to many.
Though many who have IBS soldier on without seeking medical treatment, believing they have to ‘live with it, because that is how their body is', it remains the most common intestinal problem gastroenterologists come across. Though not life-threatening, the uncomfortable feeling and embarrassing situations accompanying IBS have a huge impact on the social and work life of individuals.
“IBS is very, very common in India. And somehow, women seem to be three times more at risk. Recently, I am seeing quite a few young patients with IBS too,” observes Dr. Deepak Subramanian, GI surgeon and consultant. Some estimates suggest that over 10 per cent of the country's population is impacted by IBS. Experienced Ayurvedic consultant, teacher and former CEO of Indian Medical Practitioner's Cooperative Pharmacy and Stores (IMPCOPS), Dr. V. R. Seshadri points out, “Considering that the number of frequent travellers, workaholics, those who eat fast food and those who ‘eat what they get, when they get it' is on the rise, it is no surprise that Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has become more prevalent.” However, irregular eating patterns need not be the sole cause for IBS. It can be triggered by a bout of gastric infection and stress too.
IBS is tough to diagnose. For one thing, the pain and other symptoms may subside or go away after a bowel movement, and recur from time to time. But the long-term impact is serious. “IBS is generally concluded by exclusion, after ruling out other health issues that cause similar symptoms such as lactose intolerance, thyroid problems, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, parasitic infections, diverticulitis (the out-pouching of the colon) and colon cancer,” says Dr. Subramanian. And then some people are usually constipated. This can't be diagnosed as IBS.
The diagnosis
So how can it be diagnosed? “If there is an uncomfortable change in your bowel movements (either diarrhoea or constipation or both) and/or you notice other associated symptoms of gastric discomfort that remain for three to four days or more, it is time to check for IBS,” suggests Dr. Subramanian. If diagnosed early, treatment is easy.
“While the symptoms can be cured in a few days, uprooting the syndrome totally takes time 48 days. But only this can give lasting relief. IBS should be handled at three levels: food, medicine and exercise, and exercise includes strict eating discipline,” says Dr. Seshadri. “Avoiding spicy/oily food, pastries and milk-based products (for a while) is recommended, while intake of coffee/tea should be limited. Eat at regular hours. Sometimes, we recommend the concept of meal-between-a-meal, so as to not allow the stomach to remain empty,” says Dr. Seshadri. Avoid large meals. After getting cured of IBS, the individual shouldn't take to eating with a vengeance; it will only cause a relapse.
“Irritated bowels have no single cause, and no single cure either; treatments have to be tailor-made for the individual as per his specific symptoms,” says Dr. R Parthasarathy, general physician. In fact, some people with IBS may swing from constipation to diarrhoea over time! So it might be wiser to consult your physician or gastroenterologist, rather than taking over-the-counter medications to treat the symptoms as and when they appear. For many, regular exercise, practising relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga, and improved sleep habits help reduce stress and improve bowel routines. For stress-triggered IBS, relaxation techniques, and in rare cases, psychotherapy is recommended. On the positive side, as IBS is a functional disorder, lifestyle changes if persevered with can get your bowels back in order.
SOME IBS FACTS
* You don't have to suffer an irritable bowel; treatment is possible.
* Avoid oily/spicy food, fast food, pastries.
* Stick to a regular meal schedule.
* Regular exercise and relaxation techniques help.
* Steer clear of IBS triggers, especially after a gastric infection.
* There is no single cause or symptom for IBS; each person's IBS has to be treated according to his symptoms.
* If IBS-indicative symptoms persist for over three or four days, consult a physician.
