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The Unspoken Ailment: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects as many as 20 percent of people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIKKD). Yet it's an ailment that is not readily discussed.

IBS is a disorder characterized most often by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. People with IBS often suffer from a decline in their quality of life due to the unpredictability of their bowels and the discomfort. While IBS does not increase the risk of other diseases such as colon cancer, it can cause a great deal of discomfort and distress.

IBS is painful and embarrassing, and, depending on the severity of symptoms, it can also be disabling. Some people may be unable to work, attend social events, or travel. The ailment is more common among women than men.

Many people let IBS persist for several years before seeing a health care provider. It might be as early as childhood, or not until later in adulthood.

Triggers for IBS

• Stress. This is a common trigger. IBS tends to occur more often among people with stressful and emotionally distressing lives.
• Hormonal influences. Increased estrogen seems to influence the activity of the bowels. On average, women's symptoms worsen around menstruation.
• Food intolerance. Chocolate, milk products, and caffeine are common triggers. Beans, cabbage and certain fruits -- all foods that produce gas -- may trigger symptoms. Fats in any form (saturated or unsaturated) can trigger symptoms. Large amounts of alcohol often are a trigger.

Symptoms of IBS

The symptoms that define IBS include abdominal pain that is relieved by a bowel movement; diarrhea and constipation -- sometimes both; a sense of urgency; incomplete passage of stool; and gas or bloating.

The symptoms usually occur from a few times a week to once a month. IBS might go away for years and suddenly return. What distinguishes it from other gastrointestinal upsets is the frequency and severity of symptoms.

Controlling IBS

The best way to control IBS is to eat a healthy diet, avoid foods that seem to make you feel worse, and to find ways to handle your stress, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Slowly adding fiber to your diet may help as well. If your symptoms are severe or don’t go away, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help you manage or lessen them.