Understanding the Basics of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

An irritable bowel syndrome is also known by other names such as colon, mucous colitis and spastic colon. It is a frequent problem, which disrupts the digestive system and adversely affects the gastrointestinal system. This condition is considered as both chronic and intermittent.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a collection of symptoms and not as a particular disease. Common symptoms of this are abdominal pain and a disturbed bowel movement. This does not necessarily indicate that there are any abnormalities in the tissues in the digestive system. It is very difficult to segregate this syndrome because of so many indicative symptoms. Correct diagnoses is achieved only after ruling out gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease etc.

There is no apparent cause of irritable bowel syndrome; in other words, it is idiopathic. Many people suffering from this disease are not able to figure out the reason behind it. However, in some cases people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome do display some psychiatric symptoms and stress. Emotions state of a person is also known to disrupt the digestion leading to disrupted bowel movements. Irritable bowel syndrome is also considered as one of the symptoms of depression. This syndrome is also triggered the muscles of intestine malfunction due to stress or by some spontaneous activity.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a relapsing and remitting condition in which the symptoms may surface again even after is has been treated and cured since a long time. There are some common symptoms, which are indicative of these conditions like cramps or abdominal pains, a feeling of bloating, excessive flatulence, and passage of mucus with stools. In some cases, people have complained about a feeling that they have not emptied their bowels completely. People also face the common problem of frequently passing small stools alternated by a phase of constipation.

If you are suffering from all these symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and you pass blood with your stools then you might be suffering from something more than the syndrome only. You should immediately consult your physician if the problem persists. These conditions can be easily avoided if you keep your body healthy by being physically active.