Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sympton(s)
The main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) include:
• Abdominal pain or cramping.
• A bloated feeling.
• Gas (flatulence).
• Diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. In fact, people with IBS may also experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Some people with IBS report having both constipation and diarrhea in the same day. Diarrhea often occurs after eating or first thing in the morning.
• A sense of incomplete bowel movement.
• Mucus in the stool
In addition, other symptoms of IBS can include nausea, headaches, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.
For most people, the signs and symptoms of IBS are mild. In fact, many people don't even realize that they are suffering from this condition. Fewer than half of the people suffering from IBS seem medical advice. Only a small percentage of people have severe signs and symptoms. During times when the symptoms are severe, IBS can cause a lot of pain and be quite disabling. In fact, IBS symptoms range in severity from an occasional mild episode to a debilitating, life altering illness, which prevents the individual from working or from functioning normally.
The signs and symptoms of IBS can vary widely from person to person. The symptoms may also be quite intermittent, meaning that they may come and go, causing a lot of discomfort and pain at some times and relatively little discomfort and pain at other times. Sometimes people find that their symptoms subside for a few weeks or months and then return, while others report a gradual worsening of their symptoms over time.
In some cases, people may have severe signs and symptoms that respond well to medical treatment, while other people's symptoms may not respond well to medical treatment.
Because IBS-like symptoms can be caused by other diseases, including a range of potentially serious and life-threatening diseases, such as Ulcerative Colitis , Colorectal Cancers and Crohn's Disease , it is best to discuss any possible IBS-like symptoms with your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor may be able to help you find ways to relieve symptoms as well as either begin treatment or rule out other more serious colon conditions. Your doctor can also help you avoid possible complications from problems, such as chronic diarrhea.
If you have a persistent change in bowel habits or if you have any symptoms of IBS, then seek medical advice.
Please Note: Bleeding, weight loss, fever, and constant acute pain are not symptoms of IBS and may indicate the presence of other problems or health issues, such as inflammation, or more rarely, cancer.
Thankfully we know a lot more about Irritable Bowel Syndrome causes and as such there are a number of measures that can be taken to ensure it doesn't happen to you.