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IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a common disorder that affects the colon. IBS is a chronic condition that needs to be controlled and managed long-term to avoid the worsening of symptoms. Read to learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of IBS.
IBS and IBD can occur at the same time, however, they are different conditions.
IBS stands for inflammatory bowel syndrome and is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder where there is a disturbance in bowel movements and function. IBD, which stands for inflammatory bowel disease, is a disease where there is inflammation and damage to the intestinal wall that can be seen during diagnostic imaging, whereas IBS is not.
IBS symptoms can be triggered by:
IBS can be caused by:
Risk factors for IBS are:
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, there is no definite test to diagnose IBS. Doctors will ask about your thorough medical history, and perform comprehensive clinical examinations and tests to rule out other conditions.
Your doctor may recommend several tests to rule out other conditions causing your symptoms, which can include:
IBS is mostly treated through diet changes, however, there are some pharmacological treatments:
IBS can be prevented or treated through dietary and lifestyle controls:
IBS can be triggered by eating dairy products, high-protein foods, coffee, carbonated beverages, alcohol, processed foods such as chips, and food made from refined grains.
IBS symptoms involve abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, constipation, alternating between constipation and diarrhea, gas, bloating, food intolerance, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
IBS can arise after gastroenteritis, bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, and stress, especially during childhood.
IBS symptoms may be worsened with dairy intake because many people are lactose-intolerant.
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