During stressful situations, some people may experience abdominal pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, farting, and other issues. This could be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)! Although this digestive disorder does not cause deadly or serious illnesses, but it can cause great inconvenience in daily life. So, what leads to IBS? And what are the treatment methods available?

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

IBS is a chronic disease that affects the colon (large intestine), disrupting its normal function and causing recurrent abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, and a sense of incomplete evacuation. Although chronic IBS does not lead to other gastrointestinal complications, it can cause constant gastrointestinal discomfort.

Causes of IBS

The medical field is still unsure about the exact causes of IBS, but it is usually related to the patient's personal lifestyle and mental state:

-Binge eating or drinking

-Alcohol consumption

-Irregular sleep schedule

-Stress

-Prone to anxiety, uneasiness, or nervousness

-Family history of IBS

-Previous experience with severe gastroenteritis or other gastrointestinal disorders

-Women are more likely to develop IBS than men

Four types of IBS

According to the Rome III criteria established by the American College of Gastroenterology in 2006, IBS can be classified into four types, and patients may change types in the process.

IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D): Patients typically have loose or watery stools, and rarely have hard stools.

IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Patients typically have hard or dry stools, and rarely have loose stools.

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): Patients may have alternating loose and hard stools.

IBS unclassified (IBS-U): Patients have normal stools and rarely experience the above situations, but suffer from constant abdominal pain.

Treatment of IBS

Although IBS cannot be completely cured, it can be managed with different methods to alleviate symptoms and minimise its impact on daily life. Doctors will determine the appropriate medication based on the patient's type of IBS, such as antispasmodics, anti-diarrheal drugs, or laxatives.

In addition, patients also need to change their lifestyle habits to prevent IBS flare-ups, including avoiding alcohol, high-fat, high-sugar, and irritating foods. It is also important to learn to relax, such as by exercising, listening to music, and meditation to reduce stress and anxiety, thereby reducing the likelihood of IBS flare-ups.

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