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IBS is it a disease

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is extremely common affecting around 20% of the population. IBS has also been called spastic colon, colitis, mucous colitis and even functional bowel disease; however, these terms are less than accurate.

What is IBS?

IBS can be described as a functional disorder of the digestive system. This means that although the process of digestion is impaired in some way, there are no structural abnormalities causing it; the problem is merely one of function. In IBS there appears to be a malfunction in the interaction between the brain, the gut and the autonomic nervous system that causes the bowels to become overly sensitive and changes the way that bowel movements are performed.

Diagnosing IBS

IBS is diagnosed when there are no other identifiable causes of the symptoms.

The most commonly used method for diagnosing IBS is the Rome criteria. According to this, an individual will have experienced abdominal pain and discomfort for at least 12 weeks, although it doesn’t have to be consecutively and additionally, at least two of the following symptoms:

A change in the frequency of bowel movements and in the consistency of the stools
Straining when trying to perform a bowel movement or experiencing a sense of urgency or a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement
Mucous in the stool
Boating or abdominal distension

For some people with IBS the symptoms are nothing more than a mild inconvenience whereas others may find that their symptoms are so severe that they are afraid to even leave the house for fear of needing to move their bowels with very little warning. The point is there is no set pattern to how IBS will affect any one individual.

Other facts about IBS

IBS is not life threatening
It doesn’t lead to more serious health problems like cancer
It is not contagious
Anyone can develop IBS including children
There is no single identifiable cause of IBS although there are triggers

What triggers IBS?

No one properly understands IBS or why some people are more prone to it than others. What is known is that there are a number of factors that can trigger IBS and these include food intolerances and allergies, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, gastric infection, hormonal influences, and stress. Although stress isn’t believed to be a cause of IBS, stress exacerbates the symptoms.

Can IBS be cured?

The simple answer to this is no. IBS is likely to be a long term condition although most people will find that their IBS comes and goes at different times. Treatment involves finding ways to cope with the symptoms.