Highlights
- IBS is one of the most common chronic health conditions, with up to 15 percent of Americans having some form of it.
- While the causes of IBS are still being researched, the symptoms and their treatment are well understood.
- Causes can be physical, emotional, genetic, or a combination of any of these.
- There are three types of IBS, each with its own set of symptoms.
- There is no cure for IBS, but the condition can be managed with a combination of lifestyle changes and treatment.
- BidRx can help you get the lowest price for IBS symptom medication.
Up to 11 percent of the global population has some form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may be living with their symptoms without realizing they can be treated. Diagnosis and treatment is simple and can often improve quality of life. While IBS can’t be cured, you can learn how to manage it.
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine, or colon. The main symptom of IBS is abdominal pain, which can be debilitating. Other symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. IBS is a chronic condition, meaning it can last for months or years. There is no cure for IBS, but lifestyle changes and medications can relieve symptoms.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
IBS is divided into three types, and symptoms vary depending on the type a person has. The three types of IBS are:
- Constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), with constipation as the primary symptom
- Diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), where diarrhea is the most common symptom
- IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M), where sufferers experience both constipation and diarrhea, depending on triggers and circumstances
Common symptoms of all types include:
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps or bloating tied to passing bowel movements
- Changes in the appearance of your bowel movements
- Going to the bathroom more frequently or less often
- A sense of still needing to defecate after using the toilet
- More frequent gas
- Mucus or blood in the stool
See a doctor immediately if:
- You experience symptoms more frequently at night
- The pain is frequent or severe
- You experience weight loss due to IBS
These do not have to be constant, ongoing symptoms. Many people with IBS may think they have a stomach bug or had a brief moment of upset and gone about their day. Only a small percentage of people with IBS have severe, ongoing symptoms.
Most commonly, these symptoms arrive together suddenly, called a flare-up or attack, and are usually associated with a trigger, such as stress. In other cases, you can experience these symptoms separately and may not take note of them because they don’t interfere with your life.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms every month with no other good explanation, ask your doctor about IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes
What causes IBS remains uncertain, and there may be multiple causes that interact to cause symptoms or make them more severe. As of this writing, several potential causes are under investigation.
- Immune system response. Research is finding that some IBS patients experience autoimmune issues, with attacks on the gastrointestinal system explaining some of the symptoms. Similarly, some autoimmune disorders have symptoms similar to those of IBS.
- Previous infection. Up to 10 percent of people reporting IBS for the first time experience onset after a severe gastroenteritis infection or similar illness. Researchers are studying whether the infection damages the body or triggers an ongoing immune response.
- Gut microbiota. Introduction of new microorganisms to the gut, such as fungi or protozoa, through food and water may induce IBS.
- Psychological stress. Stress and anxiety are among the key triggers of IBS, and may be either a cause or an aggravating factor for IBS attacks. There’s also some evidence that early childhood trauma may raise the chances of getting IBS.
- Genetic factors. If you have a family history of IBS, you’re more likely to have it yourself. Which genes and why, though, remains a topic of research.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Risk Factors
Several factors may expose you to more risk for IBS. They include:
- Age. IBS is most common in people under 50, although late onset is also fairly common.
- Gender. Women are more likely to experience IBS.
- Medical treatment. Hormone treatments and some other forms of medication have been connected to IBS onset.
- Family history. People with a genetic history of IBS are more likely to experience it.
Mental health, particularly depression or anxiety, is sometimes also considered a risk factor. It’s unclear whether mental health is a symptom of IBS, a cause of IBS, or both.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis
There is no diagnostic test to identify IBS. Instead, doctors start by ruling out more serious conditions with similar symptoms. For example, if you have a family history of bowel cancer, that will be ruled out first.
Once other possibilities have been eliminated, the Rome criteria is used for IBS diagnosis. You must experience recurring abdominal pain at least one day a week on average over at least the previous three months, along with two or more of the following:
- Symptoms related to bowel movements
- A change in bowel habits
- Changes in the appearance of your stool
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Complications
The most common complications of IBS are hemorrhoids and psychological impacts, like depression or anxiety. Psychological effects are usually caused by the effects of IBS on daily life, such as missing work or social events.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment
Because IBS has multiple possible causes, the recommended approach is a combination of treatment and symptom mitigation.
- Dietary changes. Work with a dietician to test for trigger foods and then eliminate them from your diet.
- Other lifestyle changes. Regular exercise, quitting smoking or using tobacco products, and reducing alcohol consumption can all reduce IBS symptoms.
- Mental health care. In addition to traditional therapy, your doctor may also recommend adding yoga, meditation, or a similar stress management practice to your daily routine.
- Medication changes. Review the medications you take with your doctor, both over-the-counter and prescribed, to ensure they’re not aggravating your symptoms. You might also speak with your doctor about adding a medication. Antidepressants are often prescribed for people suffering from IBS, and several other medications are available for certain types of IBS.
Get the Lowest Price for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications
BidRX can help you get the lowest price for all your medications, including your IBS treatments. Simply submit your bid request, and pharmacies across the country compete to offer the lowest price. Choose the bid that best suits your needs, and have your medication shipped right to your door.
IBS shouldn’t control your life, and neither should the cost of the medications you need to control your symptoms. Find your medication, then create a bid. BidRX will get you the lowest price for your IBS medications.
