Is IBS Hereditary?
Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed when there is no physical abnormality or any other identifiable reasons for the symptoms. No one really understands what causes IBS although several different factors have been identified that can trigger IBS.
Many people ask if IBS is hereditary. There is no simple answer to this because although it can and does appear to run in families, it is not considered to be hereditary. So why might this be? Perhaps families follow a similar diet or share a genetic predisposition towards certain food intolerances. Stress is known to make the symptoms of IBS worse so if there is a family history of stress or in not coping with stress effectively, that could possibly increase the numbers in one family who suffer from IBS.
What other causes are there?
The simple truth is that there isn’t a single identifiable cause for the symptoms of IBS instead there is a collection of symptoms that can be a result of different triggers. Take hormonal influences for example. Certainly a significant proportion of women who suffer from IBS complain that their symptoms are worse during the time of their period.
Some people develop IBS after a bout of gastro enteritis or after a course of antibiotics which indicate a bacterial role too. Stress is a well known trigger and many people can relate the onset of their IBS symptoms back to a time when they were going through a stressful situation. Of course sometimes there is no obvious trigger at all. Neither is there a cure or a standard treatment pattern for IBS.
What treatment is there?
Any potential treatment plan is further complicated by the fact that IBS doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Some people have diarrhoea predominant IBS, some have constipation as their most troublesome symptom and yet others find that they experience alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation. Other symptoms include abdominal spasms and pain which is often relieved after passing wind or when the bowels move.
Treatment involves finding ways to alleviate the symptoms that are giving you the most trouble. This may involve dietary changes to eliminate certain foods, lifestyle changes involving stress reduction and learning relaxation techniques, or medication. The types of medication used to treat symptoms of IBS include mild laxatives and stool softeners for constipation, anti-diarrhoeal agents for diarrhoea and anti-spasmodic medication for abdominal cramps.
Conclusion
IBS is not dangerous, it is not contagious, and it is not hereditary so it cannot be passed to your children. Although IBS is likely to persist for a lifetime, by making the necessary changes it is possible for some people to keep IBS under control most of the time.
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