It is considered Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) It is a chronic disorder with many unpleasant symptoms like belly pain, bloating, cramps, contractions, constipation, and diarrhea.
IBS can affect about a billion people worldwide, more common in women than men, and symptoms and severity vary among those who have it.
In this article, we'll look at IBS symptoms, causes, and how to treat it at home.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Not everyone with IBS has the same experience, but there are several common signs and symptoms that usually come with it, Includes the following:-
-
Feeling abdominal pain, especially when having bowel movements.
-
Bloating and gas.
-
Noticing changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea andconstipation, or sometimes both.
-
Feeling like you haven't fully emptied your bowels.
-
Having white mucus in the stool.
-
Noticing symptoms get worse during the menstrual period in women.
Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Some factors can contribute to IBS, some more than others. Often it's hard to pinpoint the exact cause.
Here are some causes that can contribute to IBS symptoms:-
- Food poisoning
One common cause of IBS is food poisoning. Blood tests for antibodies can confirm this. Actually, one in nine people who get food poisoning develop IBS.
- Small intestine bacterial overgrowth
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) happens when bacteria that normally live in the gut grow in the small intestine. Sometimes this might cause irritable bowel syndrome.
Experts say the main symptoms of SIBO are ongoing stomach pain, cramping, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
There is also something called intestinal methane overgrowth (IMO) that causes irritable bowel syndrome. Microbes that produce methane can grow in the small intestine or colon and cause constipation. Both SIBO and IMO can be diagnosed with simple breath tests.
- Food additives
Evidence shows artificial sweeteners can make IBS worse. Primary polyols, which are in the FODMAP group, are short-chain carbs linked to IBS symptoms.
Also, processed food intake has only gone up in recent decades, suggesting changes in gut microbes from food additives might be an increasing cause of IBS.
- Mental stress and tension
Studies on stress and IBS show growing evidence this is a stress-sensitive disorder, and the brain-gut link triggers IBS episodes. Psychological stress affects gut sensitivity.
Home treatments that ease IBS
Depending on IBS symptom severity, there are several home remedies to ease discomfort, like eating fiber or taking supplements.
Some home remedies can help manage IBS well for some people, but if symptoms persist or worsen, see a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment options.
Home remedies that ease IBS include:-
-
Peppermint oil
Peppermint has long been used for digestive issues and is known to reduce intestinal gas. A randomized trial on IBS patients found 8 weeks of peppermint oil reduced abdominal pain and IBS severity.
Peppermint tea or concentrated oil can soothe those with stomach pain and discomfort, and can also be applied topically on the belly.
-
Ginger
Ginger has long been praised for many health benefits like easing nausea, reducing pain, and calming upset stomachs.
Ginger root has strong digestive enzymes that may help relieve nausea. It also offers anti-inflammatory properties that help ease stomach pain, cramps, and diarrhea-related inflammation.
It's easy to add fresh ginger root to meals. You can also make ginger tea by adding grated ginger to hot water, straining it, and adding honey for sweetness.
-
Best times to eat meals
Studies found having 4 hours between meals is great to improve the gut's cleaning waves. Many IBS patients benefit from spaced meals, but some find small, frequent meals easier on digestion and better for regular bowel movements.
Another tip is to watch how much air you swallow while eating or drinking. For example, avoid swallowing extra air when drinking with a straw or eating, as it might increase bloating and gas.
-
Changing the diet
Many foods can cause irritable bowel syndrome, like gluten sodas, canned foods, and dairy products. Cutting out foods can help find IBS triggers, or you can follow the low FODMAP diet.
Studies with IBS patients who followed the low FODMAP diet showed improvement in belly pain, discomfort, bloating, constipation, and urge to go.
-
Taking probiotics
Even though probiotics are promoted for restoring gut flora, sometimes they can change a person's unique microbes. Since there are many strains, finding the right one may take trial and error.
Seek healthcare
If IBS symptoms don’t get better with the previous changes, you should see a healthcare provider for evaluation, You should also see a healthcare provider in these cases:-
-
Changes in stool like blood, pus, or a tar-like look.
-
Symptoms suddenly appearing in the last few weeks.
-
Unexplained weight loss.
-
Having fever or diarrhea.
-
Symptoms interfering with daily life.
-
Age over 50.
Source of the article.
