IBD

What is Irritable Bowel Disease?
It is a problem that affects the bowel or large intestine. This is the area in the digestive system that makes and stores stool. It is a condition that encompasses many symptoms including abdominal bloating, crampy abdominal pains, diarrhea and constipation and occasionally mucous discharge. It never causes bleeding from the bowel.

Causes of IBS
It is thought that it is a disorder where the smooth muscle of the bowel is affected and this may cause either over or underactivity in the muscle and hence leading to symptoms of diarrhea or constipation.

The actual cause of the condition is not known but many factors seem to trigger symptoms such as stress, exercise and hormones. Food has also been implicated in triggering symptoms especially – milk products, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods.

Investigations
As with any bowel condition a thorough history and physical examination need to be performed

It is important to remember that the diagnosis of IBS is a diagnosis once other more serious conditions are excluded. To exclude other conditions such as bowel cancer and inflammatory bowel disease patients may require a colonoscopy (which is an examination of the bowel with a camera) and blood tests.

Treatment
Treatment is difficult as this condition has a varying spectrum from mild to severe. In most cases the reassurance that there is nothing more serious is often adequate. Often symptomatic control of one symptom may lead to worsening of other symptoms. Most doctors will try changes in diet and may supplement an individual’s diet with fibre supplements. This often requires chopping and changing supplements till an acceptable regime is found. Foods high in fibre may help and avoidance of foods mentioned earlier may help.

Learning to cope and handle stress may also relieve symptoms.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT SURGERY HAS NO ROLE IN THE TREATMENT OF IRRITABLE BOWEL DISEASE.