An intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

I found out I have IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) a digestive disorder which affects the digestive system. It is not a life-threatening disorder. However, it can cause discomfort for the people who suffer from the condition. A majority of the patients who suffer from IBS may experience pain, cramping, gassy, bloating, and a mixture of constipation and Diarrhea. Another symptom of the condition is changing in bowel movements. There is no full diagnosis for IBS other than running tests to rule out other conditions. I was diagnosed a few months ago with this condition. I have to say it has made it harder to adjust to the impact of IBS.

I am sometimes finding myself canceling events in my life due to this condition, and I wish there were a more natural way to handle the disorder. I sometimes do not want to go into work due to how I am feeling, and eating is not fun as well as it can make me feel sick. I was hoping it was my gallbladder when this started, but it did not turn out to be the issue. I am taking medication to assist with the flares. However, at times it feels as if it does not work too well for the majority of the symptoms I experience.

Managing the flares is the what causes victims of the disorder unable to live through their lives normally. IBS can cause severe pain which immobilizes victims to the point where all they want to do is sit down, and try to relieve the pain. Myself have experienced these type of heinous symptoms, and wish there was a robust way to remove these pains.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder which impacts the large intestine. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition you’ll need to manage long-term.

A few amounts of people with IBS have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle, and stress. Medications can assist with more-severe symptoms. IBS affects up to 10-15% of adults. It has a significant worldwide prevalence.

IBS is better interpreted as a recurrent disorder of gastrointestinal (GI) functioning. Typically involves the large intestine (colon) and small intestine with disturbances of intestinal/bowel (gut) motor function (motility) and sensation.

Symptoms may change over time which may confuse the person at first. The gut related activities are regulated by the brain. At which may also be impaired, which is why IBS is often considered a brain-guy disorder.

Abdominal pain is the key symptom of IBS and is associated with a change in bowel habits. The alteration in bowel habits may be diarrhea and/or constipation.

Individuals with IBS may either have mostly diarrhea, Mostly constipation, or both diarrhea and constipation. Pain can be relieved often by having a bowel movement or worsen after eating a meal.

Symptoms

A variety of symptoms that occur together characterize irritable bowel syndrome. The changes may seem random. However, there is a pattern to symptoms of IBS. An accurate diagnosis from your clinician is the starting point for appropriate treatment.

Also, bloating, urgency, gas, mucus, cramping, and pain are symptoms found with IBS. The pain can be felt anyplace in the abdomen. On a side note, it may change over time. Bowel movements typically cause the pains as the bowels moving through the digestive tracks.

Patients with IBS differently describes their pain feels in IBS such as cramping or cramp-like, stabbing, sharp, or a ‘migraine’ in the abdomen. Patients with IBS, abdominal pain is frequent. While for some, it is continuous.

Constipation is one of the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The pain is linked with a change in the frequency or consistency of bowel movements. The altered bowel habit may be chronic or recurrent constipation or diarrhea.

Constipation can cause discomfort for patients because of infrequent stools, straining at stools, or feeling of being unable to empty during a bowel movement completely.