Top 5 IBS Signs and Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a widespread condition that affects over 18% of people around the world. Pain in the lower abdomen and gastrointestinal issues are symptoms of this illness. Lack of sleep, a hectic lifestyle, malnutrition, and changes in gut bacteria could all be contributing factors to your symptoms. However, because triggers differ from individual to individual, it's difficult to pinpoint certain foods or stressors that patients should avoid.

Keep reading to learn about the most common symptoms of IBS and what to do if you think you have it.

1. Cramping and pain

 Among the main indicators and crucial factors in detecting IBS is abdominal pain. Your digestion is normally controlled by the brain and gut working together. Nerves, hormones, and signals generated by your gut bacteria all play a role in this process. IBS usually causes this cooperative effort to be distorted, resulting in uncontrollable pain in your gastrointestinal tract. Changing your diet to include more low-FODMAP foods may help relieve pain and other symptoms. You might also try taking more natural intestinal muscle relaxants, such as peppermint oil, as well as cognitive behavior therapy or hypnosis. If these treatments don't work, talk to a top IBS doctor about drugs that are specifically intended to help IBS pain.

2. Diarrhea

One of the three basic types of IBS is diarrhea-predominant IBS. It affects almost one-third of patients. According to a recent study, those with diarrhea-predominant IBS have twice as many weekly bowel motions compared to people without IBS. IBS can also cause rapid transit of digestive fluids and chyme through the intestines, resulting in an urgent need to urinate. Some individuals may develop a fear of an acute onset of diarrhea as a result of this, causing them to avoid certain social situations. Additionally, diarrhea-predominant IBS might result in your stool becoming watery and mucus-filled.

3. Constipation

IBS can lead to both diarrhea and constipation, which may seem confusing. The most prevalent type of IBS is constipation-predominant IBS, which affects around half of all IBS patients. Stool transit time may be increased or decreased as a result of distorted coordination between the gut and the brain, making it more challenging to pass. Constipation is diagnosed when you have fewer than three bowel motions each week. Constipation induced by IBS can produce abdominal pain that goes away with bowel movements. It can also cause the sensation of an incomplete bowel movement, which can lead to excessive straining. Drink plenty of fluids, eat more soluble fiber, take prebiotics, and restrict your usage of laxatives to alleviate constipation-predominant IBS.

4. Food Intolerance

About 70% of IBS sufferers claim that specific meals make their symptoms worse. Furthermore, 35% of patients try to avoid eating a wide selection of foods. It's unknown why certain foods aggravate IBS symptoms. These food intolerances aren't caused by allergies, and trigger meals don't cause obvious abnormalities indigestion. While these foods vary from individual to individual, some popular examples include lactose, gluten, and FODMAPs, which cause flatulence.

5. Bloating and gas 

IBS produces excessive gas production in the gut due to abnormal digestion. Bloating may develop as a result of this. Bloating is one of the most prevalent and bothersome symptoms of IBS, according to many patients. Bloating and cramping are reported by nearly 83% of patients. Both of these are common in women with IBS which is characterized by constipation. Consider consuming less lactose and FODMAPs to reduce bloating.

The bottom line

If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, don't wait for them to get worse. Consider seeking treatment from an experienced IBS specialist. Timely treatment is one of the most effective ways to eliminate all unpleasant symptoms and prevent your condition from worsening.