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Side ache, Back ache IBS

The pain associated with IBS will vary considerably from person to person. Most people with IBS complain of abdominal bloating and discomfort as well as either diarrhoea or constipation or a mixture of the two. The pain is often located on the lower left hand side of the abdomen but can arise anywhere along the digestive tract and radiate to the back and the side too.

For some the symptoms of IBS will be nothing more than a mild inconvenience that comes and goes, particularly when certain foods are ingested. For others though, the pain can be excruciating and the associated diarrhoea and constipation can be severe enough to seriously impair quality of life.

The problem with IBS is that there is no set predictable pattern, no standard set of symptoms applicable to everyone, no cure, no tests to diagnose it and no set treatment plan either.

What is IBS?

IBS has been described as a functional disorder of the digestive tract. The reason it is described as functional is because there is no physical abnormality present so the disorder is one of function in that the process of digestion does not function properly and there are changes in bowel movements.

Other names used to describe IBS have been spastic colon, nervous tummy or nervous indigestion and functional colitis. It is important to note that IBS is not the same as ulcerative colitis so this can be a misleading term. The most common symptoms of IBS are pain, bloating and discomfort, flatulence, diarrhoea and/or constipation.

What causes the pain?

The truth is that no one really understands the full nature of IBS or why some people experience more pain than others. The muscle contractions required to propel the contents of the digestive tract towards the rectum can feel more pronounced and intense to someone with IBS whereas most people are unaware of this process until they need to perform a bowel movement and will experience the urge to go.

Abdominal pain can come on suddenly without warning and can be cramp like or more like shooting pains and you may experience a dull ache in your lower back or side. Some people have complained of shooting pains in their legs and around the groin area too. Research has shown that IBS symptoms can be more severe around the time of menstruation, which could indicate that there are hormonal influences involved too.

Getting help

IBS is more likely than not to be a long term condition but that doesn’t mean it will affect you every day. The good news is that by dealing with the most distressing symptoms first and by making some dietary and lifestyle changes and by reducing the amount of stress in your life, you can make a significant difference to the way that the symptoms present themselves and will be able to regain control of your life.

If the pain is severe, your doctor will be able to prescribe painkillers and antispasmodic medication to help ease the painful muscular contractions. Finally, never attempt to diagnose IBS yourself, the symptoms can also be indicative of other more serious conditions and as such, you should always consult your doctor if you experience abdominal pain, backache, pain in your side and any changes to your bowel movements.