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Frequently Asked Questions About IBS Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions (Source: http://www.talkIBS.org ):
1. What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a real medical condition characterized by recurring abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and altered bowel symptoms (constipation, diarrhea, or alternating). The term ''syndrome'' refers to a collection of symptoms that together comprise a specific medical condition.
2. How common is IBS?
IBS impacts the lives of millions of people. As many as one in five adults in the United States or 20 percent of the adult American population suffer from the abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, and altered bowel symptoms associated with IBS. IBS occurs in both men and women, however, the prevalence appears to be greater in women. Approximately seven out of every ten IBS sufferers are women.
IBS is more prevalent in the U.S. than depression, asthma, diabetes, and coronary heart disease.
3. What is the impact of IBS?
IBS can affect the physical, social and emotional well being of sufferers. In a recent study, symptoms restricted participation in sports and recreational activities and interfered with intimacy or patient¹s sex lives in one-third of IBS sufferers. On average, IBS symptoms caused women to change social plans or alter personal activities three days per month. That translates into 18 disrupted weekends per year. In addition, more than 70 percent of those patients may suffer from their IBS symptoms more often than once a week.
IBS also has a severe economic toll, costing the U.S. healthcare system up to an estimated $30 billion annually.
These statistics clearly demonstrate the need for women who experience the abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and constipation associated with IBS to speak openly with their doctor for proper diagnosis and care.
4. What is IBS with constipation?
A common form of IBS is IBS with constipation. IBS with constipation is a chronic condition with recurring symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, and constipation. Approximately five percent of women in the U.S. – as many as 6 million – have IBS with constipation.
5. What causes IBS with constipation?
It is not clear why some people develop IBS with constipation and others do not. However, in the past few years, a greater understanding of the cause of this condition has started to emerge.
Contrary to what many people think, IBS is not caused by stress or eating habits. If you suffer from the abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, and constipation associated with IBS, you may have a digestive system that is more sensitive or works more slowly than it should. This may be due to the way your digestive system reacts to changes in a naturally occurring chemical in your body called serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in making your GI tract work normally.
6. What is the difference between simply having frequent cases of constipation and actually suffering with IBS with constipation?
Many people occasionally suffer with certain symptoms associated with IBS. Only a physician is qualified to determine if specific symptoms are an indication that someone is suffering with IBS. Anyone suffering with abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating and constipation should talk to their doctor and discuss the most appropriate method for proper management of these symptoms. |
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