Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Symptoms and Diagnosis!

Irritable bowel syndrome is the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder worldwide.

Its signs and symptoms and chronic nature, varies from mild to severe and has many negative effects on one’s quality of life.

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and changes in appearance of stools are some characteristics of Irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include both GI and extra-intestinal complaints. Some common symptoms include:

1. Chronic abdominal pain: A sensation of cramps of varying intensity in the abdomen that worsens with time. The pain is usually in the lower abdomen, often felt in the lower left quadrant.
2. Altered bowel habits: An altered bowel habits like change in the volume, frequency and consistency in the stool.
3. Diarrhea: Frequent loose motions, of small to moderate volume alogwith lower abdominal cramps. Patients also feel urgency to defecate and complain of mucosal discharge alongwith stools.
4. Constipation: Patients often suffer from hard stools and have a feeling of an incomplete rectum is completely empty. evacuation, even if the rectum is completely empty, leading to long periods of time spent in the bathroom.
5. Other GI symptoms: Some common symptoms include gastro-esophageal reflux, early feeling of fullness, nausea, abdominal bloating, too much gas production and non-cardiac chest pain. Patients also frequently complain of abdominal bloating and flatulence.
6. Extra-intestinal symptoms: These include impaired sexual function and increase in the frequency and urgency to urinate. Patients may also suffer from hypertension and asthma.

Are Stress and Anxiety a cause for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Brain and gut are very closely connected. Stress and anxiety do not directly cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), but this can definitely increase the frequency and severity of symptoms.

This has been proved that psychological therapy, and relaxation/ stress reduction techniques can help relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms in some people.

Source:-1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4154827/