Irritable Bowel Syndrome (with Diarrhea and Constipation)

IBS, also called IBSD if diarrhea accompanies the symptoms or IBSC for constipation, is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. IBS is a chronic condition that does not generally go away, but can be managed with a few easy tasks. The signs and symptoms can be uncomfortable and scary- but don't worry! IBS of any form does not increase your risk for colorectal cancer or cause chage in your colon and most people can control their symptoms with simple changes in their lifestyle and diet.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary widely and be factors in other diseases, so do not take this as a diagnosis. Other disease's including Chron's disease and Celiac disease have similar factors, so take the time to see a medical professional and discuss your symptoms with them to recieve a professional diagnosis.

Symptoms of IBS include but are not limited to:

Abdominal pain and cramping

Bloated feeling

Gas

Diarrhea or constipation

Mucus in stool

Anxiety

Fewer than 1 in 5 American adults have symptoms of IBSD, per Mayo Clinic, but less than that seek professional help. A doctor will be able to rule out other colon conditions, so you should see one before you make assumptions.

Causes

Triggers vary from person to person, but commonly include:

Stress

Foods

Hormones

Other Illnesses

Not all people with the condition react to the same stimuli, but these are the most common ones. The exact causes of IBS are unknown but genetics and abnormalities in your gastrointestinal nervous system play a large role. IBS generally occurs in people who are under the age of 45, female (about twice as many women as men have the condition), have a family history of IBS, and have a mental health problem.

What do I do?

I personally have developed a higher pain tolerance, as I have suffered with this since the age of about 8 (when I started public school, my stress skyrocketed and i began to have anxiety), but I also have a few tricks up my sleeves...

1. Avoid trigger foods!! Keep a list in a convenient place, such as inside a food cabinet or on your refridgerator- somewhere you will see it when you are hungry.

One of my leading trigger foods in pepperoni. As tempting as it may be to eat them, you want to wean yourself off of these foods. Stay away from leafy greens. They're healthy for you but really hard for your stomch to digest!

2. Keep over-the-counter pain relievers and/or a laxative handy. Try to tough it out before you reach for them, but if it gets worse don't hesitate to take an antispasmodic.

3. Minimize your stress factor. Try to stay away from stressful situations or anxiety triggering things.

4. Finally, eat more smaller meals. I tend to eat about 6 meals and 3 snacks a day, because smaller portions are easier for me to digest.

That's about it, I think.

What did you think? Was this helpful to you at all? I'd love to hear your opinions!