What Is the Cause of IBS And Who Is at Risk?
6/1/2023
The GI condition known as irritable bowel syndrome, also called IBS, can largely affect your daily life in many ways. Inciting symptoms in your large intestine, stomach, and additional areas of the digestive system, IBS generally creates uncomfortable and (at times) unfortunate symptoms.
At Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC, we understand the symptoms irritable bowel syndrome might have on your overall health, contentment, and welfare. Our gastrointestinal providers quite regularly treat irritable bowel syndrome in Hattiesburg, MS adults and are here to work with you to reduce your symptoms. Read on to learn what’s the leading cause of irritable bowel syndrome and determine whether you are at risk.
How does irritable bowel syndrome develop in me?
The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown at this time. Researchers think it results from a disconnect between the brain (which is actually in charge of gut function) and the gastro system, leading GI specialists to reference it as “the brain-gut disorder.” This disturbance could cause movement complications throughout your digestive tract, causing the muscles to move food through the digestive system either too fast or too slowly. Irritable bowel syndrome is also called “spastic colon” because of the spasms in the colon that typically go with it.
A variety of elements could be irritable bowel syndrome triggers, such as:
- Alcohol consumption
- Life stresses
- Changes in your microbial makeup of the intestines
- A diet high in fatty and spicy foods
- Intestinal infections, such as bacterial or viral gastroenteritis
- Consuming too much caffeine
- Hormone fluctuations
Understanding IBS triggers and your chances of suffering from this condition should help you better manage your body’s reaction if you ever find out you have irritable bowel syndrome.
What are the risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a complex gastro problem. As such, a variety of components could marry to result in irritable bowel syndrome’s inception or recurrence. The most common factors that may increase one’s risk of irritable bowel syndrome may include:
- Familial history: Some individuals may be biologically predisposed to developing IBS.
- Being a woman: IBS is double as common in women than in men.
- Age group: Patients of just about all ages might have IBS, but it often starts during the teenage years or early adulthood. It is less frequent to develop in individuals 50 and older.
- Lifestyle: A bad diet, not enough exercise, tobacco or alcohol use, and being overweight can all amplify your chances of getting IBS.
- Mental health: Depression and anxiety can increase the chances of getting the condition.
If you believe you could be at risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome or any other digestive health concerns, we hope you will request a consultation at a Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC location near you.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome issues can vary from one person to the next. Actually, IBS symptoms in women are generally different than IBS symptoms in men and will even vary in severity. Many patients with IBS generally have minor symptoms. The well-known symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Sticky stool
- Gassiness
- Loose and watery stool
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Difficulty passing stools
- Cramping in the abdomen
In the event you find yourself with any one of these symptoms or if you recognize a shift in your bowel tendencies, it’s essential to consult a physician. Our gastro doctors in Hattiesburg, MS can review your concerns and/or symptoms to decide if IBS is the reason.
How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?
Even though avoiding IBS isn’t always possible, action can be taken in order to minimize its consequences. Treating irritable bowel syndrome often involves learning how to manage you symptoms in order to take control of this condition. Addressing symptoms and dealing with the condition could include changing your lifestyle, including adding high-fiber foods into your diet, getting plenty of water, exercising daily, and understanding known IBS triggers. Select medications may also help alleviate the symptoms, such as antidepressant, anti-diarrheal, anti-nausea, and anticholinergic medications. Fiber supplements and laxatives could be prescribed to help treat underlying issues that might stir up the condition.
Find irritable bowel syndrome treatment in Hattiesburg, MS
More than causing annoying symptoms, IBS makes many people feel mentally defeated and hopeless. Rest assured that it is possible to find relief from this chronic illness. The team of gastroenterologists at Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC can provide the proper care for this condition and can help usher you and/or your loved one to a better quality of life. To find out more about the condition, irritable bowel syndrome self-care, and to meet a GI doctor who treats this condition in Hattiesburg, MS, call our team to request a consultation.