What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is the disease that people are most likely to suffer from nowadays. Because the initial characteristics of the disease are not very serious, many people do not pay attention to treatment. Finally, after a certain period of time, it will cause major problems in the body. The reason for suffering from IBS is that people nowadays do not like to exercise, especially young office workers who are more likely to suffer from the disease.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of intestinal functional disorders with persistent or intermittent attacks, characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits and/or stool characteristics, but lack of gastrointestinal structural and biochemical abnormalities. Typical symptoms are abdominal pain and bloating associated with abnormal bowel movements. According to the main symptoms, the disease is divided into: diarrhea-predominant type; constipation-predominant type; alternating diarrhea and constipation type. Mental, dietary, cold and other factors may induce recurrence or aggravation of symptoms.

Clinical manifestations

1. Symptoms

According to the main symptoms, it is divided into: diarrhea-predominant type; constipation-predominant type; diarrhea-constipation alternating type. Mental, dietary, cold and other factors may induce recurrence or aggravation of symptoms.

(1) Abdominal pain is the main symptom of IBS, accompanied by abnormal frequency or shape of bowel movements. Abdominal pain is often relieved after defecation. Some patients are prone to experience abdominal pain after eating. Abdominal pain can occur in any part of the abdomen and can be localized or diffuse. The nature of the pain varies.

(2) Diarrhea: ① Continuous or intermittent diarrhea, with a small amount of stool, which is paste-like and contains a large amount of mucus; ② Symptoms disappear after fasting for 72 hours; ③ Symptoms do not occur at night, which is different from organic diseases; ④ Some patients may be induced by eating; ⑤ Patients may have alternating diarrhea and constipation.

(3) Constipation: difficulty in defecation, dry and hard stools, small amounts of stools, and a lot of mucus. Constipation may be intermittent or alternate with diarrhea, often accompanied by a feeling of incomplete defecation.

(4) Abdominal distension is more severe during the day, especially in the afternoon, and is relieved after sleep at night.

Nearly half of the patients have upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Extra-gastrointestinal manifestations such as back pain, headache, palpitations, frequent urination, urgency, and sexual dysfunction are significantly more common than organic intestinal diseases. Some patients also have varying degrees of psychological and psychiatric abnormalities, such as anxiety, depression, and tension.

2. Physical signs

Usually there are no positive findings. Some patients have symptoms of autonomic nervous system disorders such as excessive sweating, rapid pulse, and high blood pressure. Sometimes the sigmoid flexure or painful intestinal loop can be felt in the abdomen.

The above is all about irritable bowel syndrome. Generally, this disease can be cured by oneself. The first thing is to insist on exercising, so that the body functions will be strengthened and you will not get sick easily. Also, you must pay attention to eating habits. Nowadays, people do not pay much attention to diet, which is also one of the reasons for the occurrence of diseases. Just exercise and a balanced diet will keep you healthy.