IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the colon otherwise called the large intestine. Also known as spastic colon, irritable colon or spastic colitis, IBS exudes a bunch of intestinal symptoms all at once. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition and the cause of it is remains unknown.
Symptoms:
- Cramping
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Treatment:
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disorder. Usually, the patient will carry a bunch of investigations like CT scans and endoscopy which are normal. Gastroenterologist will suggest treatment that will aim as relieving the symptoms.
Lifestyle changes:
Regular physical exercise with changes in food habits like eating smaller meals, reducing the consumption of fatty food and caffeinated beverages and reducing stress helps.
Red peppers, wheat, green onions, and cow’s milk trigger symptoms in some and therefore must be avoided.
Wheat bran and corn fiber are called bulking agents and consumption of these slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract.
Medications:
Probiotics: These are made up of good bacteria and they help to relieve gas and bloating.
Antibiotics: The gastroenterologist prescribes this to alter the number of bacteria in the intestines.
Anticholinergic medications: To help control colon muscle spasms, abdominal bloating and pain, these antispasmodic drugs will be prescribed.
Laxatives: Laxatives help loosen stools and increase bowel movements thereby alleviating some of the symptoms in constipation-predominant IBS.
Anti-diarrheal medications: If the patient is suffering from diarrhea, anti-diarrheal medications are prescribed.
Pain medications: Pain medications are prescribed for those who have severe bloating and pain.
Others
Worm infestation
Children are most commonly affected and it’s a global health burden. Contamination of food with eggs of worm is the main mode of transmission.
Three important species that infect humans are the roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichura) and the hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). Symptoms vary from diarrhea, pain abdomen to malaise and easy fatiguability which intern due to chronic intestinal blood loss. Worm infections are easily treatable with medicines (antihelminthics). Hygienic eating habits and improving sanitation helps in preventing them.