Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the intestines that causes much misery in both men and women. It affects different people in different ways but usually leads to abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits. The abdominal pain or cramping can be a dull ache over one area of the colon, or several areas, and for some it can be intolerable and without relief. Constipation and diarrhoea (or bouts of both) can be experienced by sufferers. If you have IBS, you may feel the urge (perhaps accompanied by cramps) to move your bowels but have to strain do so. Sometimes, individuals with IBS pass mucus with their bowel movements.

One third of people in the UK have occasional symptoms of IBS and one in ten have symptoms that are severe enough to require medical attention. Although the syndrome can affect both sexes it is women who are more likely to see their doctor about their symptoms. IBS can affect people of all ages but tends to begin between the ages of 15 and 40. While there is no cure, you often can control symptoms through diet, stress management and medicines.

What causes IBS?
The exact cause of IBS is not well understood although it seems to be due to an increased sensitivity of the bowel. Women with IBS seem to have more symptoms during their periods, suggesting that reproductive hormones may play a role.

‘Syndrome’ refers to a collection of symptoms, not just one or two. In fact, IBS isn’t a disease – it is considered a ‘functional disorder’ because there is no sign of disease. It can strike otherwise healthy people. The causes are multiple: biological, psychological and social factors can all contribute to symptoms.

The good news is that the syndrome does not cause permanent harm to the intestines, it doesn’t lead to intestinal bleeding and it doesn’t cause cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). Moreover, if you have IBS, you may not suffer all the time: some people can go for weeks or months with no symptoms. Others may experience symptoms daily. Also, it is possible – by paying attention to the triggers of your symptoms – that you can modify your diet, make lifestyle changes to reduce stress and use medication to reduce the symptoms.