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Talk with the Doc: April is IBS Awareness Month

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a very common disorder of the digestive tract. It primarily affects the colon, or large intestine. An estimated 20% of the population, or about 60 million people in the USA, suffer from IBS. IBS is a syndrome, and not a disease, and should not be confused with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease. Through the years, it has been called by many other names, such as “nervous” colon or “spastic” colon.

What are the symptoms of IBS? The term “syndrome” refers to a set of symptoms that occur together. The symptoms of IBS may include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, or constipation alternating with diarrhea. If a person has any of these symptoms, they should see their health care provider without delay to be certain that these symptoms are from IBS, and not some other more serious digestive disease. Rectal bleeding is never a symptom of IBS, and rectal bleeding must always be evaluated by your health care provider without delay.

What causes IBS? In people with IBS, the muscles of the colon cause the symptoms. An abnormal contraction, or spasm, may speed up the passage of stool, resulting in diarrhea. At other times, the spasm may delay the passage of stool, resulting in constipation. The exact cause of IBS is unknown. However, IBS symptoms are often worsened by emotional stress and by not having enough dietary fiber in one’s diet.

How is IBS treated? Once a person has been properly diagnosed with IBS and not a more serious disease, treatment recommendations will be made. Adding fiber to your diet has clearly been shown to lessen, or even totally eliminate, the diarrhea, constipation, and cramping symptoms of IBS. Dietary fiber is something you ingest (eat) that you cannot digest. The fiber passes through the stomach, through the small intestine and into the colon (large intestine). The fiber then absorbs water and liquid in the colon. If you have diarrhea, the fiber will absorb the extra water and fluid and will make for less frequent and more formed bowel movements. If you have constipation, the fiber will retain water and fluid in the colon and increase your number of bowel movements. Fiber also decreases spasms and painful pressure in the colon.

Again, the key to very effective treatment of IBS is to add dietary fiber to one’s diet. With IBS, I strongly recommend taking a sugar-free fiber supplement powder, such as sugar-free Metamucil, sugar-free Citrucel, or sugar-free store brands, one heaping teaspoon in water once a day, every day. My further strong advice is that you only take your heaping teaspoon of sugar-free fiber supplement on the days you breathe!

Can IBS lead to more serious problems? IBS has not been shown to lead to any serious disease such as colitis or cancer. All patients with IBS should work closely with their health care provider to lessen their IBS symptoms. By establishing a close relationship with your health care provider, IBS can be very effectively managed. Always remember that rectal bleeding is never a symptom of IBS, and all rectal bleeding always needs to be evaluated by a health care provider without delay to determine the exact source of the rectal bleeding. With any IBS symptoms and to keep your digestive system happy, never forget that fiber and fluids are your true dietary friends.

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