IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as "spastic colon," is a common disorder. While most people experience digestive troubles once in a while, what sets IBS apart is belly pain and diarrhoea or constipation that comes back again and again. 

Symptoms of IBS
The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain accompanied by a change in bowel habits. This can include constipation, diarrhoea, or both. Gas and a visibly bloated belly are also common. The condition does not damage the digestive system, but persistent pain and frequent trips to the bathroom can interfere with everyday life.


Causes of IBS
Doctors don't know the exact cause of IBS. One theory is that the signals between the brain and intestines are somehow disrupted. This miscommunication may cause abnormal intestinal muscle contractions (seen on the right) that result in cramping, pain, and fluctuations in the speed of digestion. Patients have no sign of inflamed or damaged tissue or structural abnormalities in the digestive tract.

Who can get IBS?
Anyone can get IBS, but the condition is twice as common in women as in men. It's also more likely to affect people who have a family history of IBS. Symptoms usually begin when people are in their late 20s. It's uncommon for people over 50 to develop IBS for the first time. IBS sometimes co-exists with depression or anxiety.

Diagnosis
There is no standard test to check for IBS. Doctors usually make a diagnosis based on a patient's description of the symptoms. For this reason, it's important to be candid and specific about the problems you are having. Your doctor may order tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Effects of IBS on Daily Life
IBS may not put your life at risk, but it can take a significant toll on your lifestyle. During episodes of frequent, urgent diarrhoea  you may find it difficult to commute to work or travel by air. You may find it necessary to map out bathrooms before going any place new. In severe cases, patients may become hesitant to eat out, see a movie, or socialize.

IBS and Stress

Whether you have IBS or not, you're probably familiar with the "butterflies in the stomach" that accompany public speaking, a college final, or other high-stakes events. Stress may trigger or worsen symptoms of IBS. This means that stress can be particularly problematic for people with IBS. IBS symptoms can cause stress, and stress can make the symptoms worse, leading to a vicious cycle.

What Triggers IBS?

The first step toward managing IBS is to identify what makes your symptoms worse. Besides stress, common triggers include eating a meal, hormonal changes, and certain medications. It's important to note that no specific foods have been universally linked to IBS symptoms. But keeping a food diary may help you pinpoint which foods are a problem for you.

 How Diet Changes Helps

Your treatment strategy will depend on your specific symptoms and triggers, but many people start with diet changes. You may find it helpful to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods. Getting more fibre or water may also improve symptoms. Suspicious foods can be eliminated one at a time. It may take some trial and error to discover which changes provide the most relief.

Probiotics

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help reduce the growth of harmful organisms in the digestive tract. There are many kinds of probiotics, but the best known is the type found in yoghurt -- look for a label that says "active cultures." Some studies suggest probiotics may reduce the occurrence of diarrhoea  but more research is needed to determine whether this includes symptoms caused by IBS.

Antidepressants and Antispasmodics
If a doctor prescribes antidepressants for IBS, this does not suggest your symptoms are "all in your head" or caused by depression. Antidepressants act on the chemical messengers in the digestive tract and can ward off pain and cramping. Antispasmodics may also be useful if cramping is a major symptom. Most medications have side effects, so be sure to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.

Peppermint Oil

If you prefer a natural remedy, peppermint oil is worth a try. Studies suggest that it may be effective in relieving IBS symptoms. In fact, it performed better than a placebo at relieving symptoms in some people with IBS. Look for enteric-coated capsules, which are less likely to cause heartburn -- and check with your doctor first if you're taking other medications.

Psychotherapy

Because stress is known to make IBS worse, stress management can be highly beneficial. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps you replace negative thoughts with more positive or realistic ones. This can reduce stress, which in turn, reduces the pain and digestive symptoms associated with IBS. Therapy can also help you learn coping strategies for when your symptoms do flare up.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback teaches patients to recognize and change their body's response to stress. After a few sessions, many people are able to slow down their heart rate and enter a more relaxed state. This can be useful in relieving both the stress and symptoms of IBS.

Relaxation Therapy

Many people can learn to calm themselves through meditation, guided imagery, deep breathing, or other relaxation therapies. Studies suggest these techniques can help with a variety of IBS symptoms, including pain, diarrhoea  and constipation. With practice, it's possible to use relaxation techniques just about anywhere.

Long-Term Prognosis

IBS is a chronic condition, and patients may experience quieter periods followed by flare-ups. Keeping a personal diary of food, feelings, and symptoms can help uncover hidden triggers when people are first diagnosed -- and if IBS begins to interfere with daily life again. Over time, the symptoms of IBS typically do not get worse. IBS is not life-threatening and does not lead to more serious conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or cancer.



ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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9 serious conditions that mimic heartburn

HEARTBURN :

Heartburn-like pain is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But several other conditions can cause a burning feeling in your chest.

Most of the time, your doctor will be able to identify whether you have heartburn or GERD by doing tests.

Here are nine other conditions that can cause heartburn-like pain.

1. Heart Disease - 

Angina, or chest pain caused by lack of blood flow to the heart, can feel a lot like heartburn.

"The major key is if you're getting heartburn when you're doing strenuous or moderate activity,"  according to a doctor.

If you're 50 or older and getting heartburn—especially if you haven't had this kind of pain before—it can raise suspicion of angina. Suspicions can also be raised if you're younger but have heart risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

2. Gallstones - 

Although gallstones don't always cause symptoms, a stone blocking your bile duct can hurt, usually in the middle or upper-right side of the abdomen.
Pain may be cramping, dull, or sharp, and often strikes minutes after you eat.

If you're experiencing stomach pain after meals that doesn't improve after you take an over-the-counter acid-suppressing medication, gallstones should be suspected, says a doctor.

3. Stomach ulcer -

Ulcers can cause a gnawing, burning sensation, usually felt in the upper abdomen. The pain can find its way up to the chest.

Acid-suppressing medications may relieve ulcer pain. But ulcers are usually caused by Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that inflames the stomach lining, so you will need to take antibiotics to clear the infection.


Certain anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), and osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates, can also cause stomach ulcers.

4. Hiatal hernia - 


A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the upper stomach pokes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, rather than staying in the abdominal cavity where it belongs.

This can push food and stomach acid up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Other signs of hiatal hernia include chest pain, belching, and nausea. If you have heartburn due to hiatal hernia, your doctor will typically prescribe acid-suppressing drugs, and recommend lifestyle changes like eating smaller meals, avoiding alcohol, and not eating right before bed. In rare cases, surgical repair may be needed.

5. Esophageal cancer - 

Esophageal cancer is rare, but its incidence is rising rapidly in the United States .

"If you have heartburn, it might be a sign of esophageal cancer, but it's highly unlikely,. Your doctor may decide to order an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus if you've got long-standing heartburn, especially if you smoke or drink heavily, both of which are risk factors for esophageal cancer.

This test involves passing a tube with a light and a camera at one end down your throat into your esophagus. During the test, your doctor can look for abnormal areas as well as collect tissue samples to test for cancer.

6. Gastroparesis - 

Poor control of diabetes can lead to nerve damage, which can affect the workings of your digestive tract. This is called gastroparesis, and it dramatically slows the movement of food through the stomach and can cause heartburn.
Treatment can include dietary changes such as eating smaller meals, avoiding fat and fiber, medications, and, for people with very severe symptoms, inserting a feeding tube or an implanted device that emits electrical pulses mimicking stomach contractions.


7. Esophagitis -

Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, can result from frequent acid reflux. This condition can in turn lead to more heartburn, as well as difficulty swallowing.

The esophagus can also become inflamed from taking certain painkillers and osteoporosis medications, particularly if the pills are taken without water, allowing them to remain in the esophagus.

A third type of esophagitis, called eosinophilic esophagitis, occurs when white blood cells known as eosinophils invade the esophagus. The condition is often allergy-related, so treatment requires identifying and avoiding the offending foods. Doctors may also prescribe steroid medications to ease inflammation.

8. Pleuritis or costochondritis - 

Inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, known as pleuritis or pleurisy, can cause heartburn-like chest pain. Pleuritis should be suspected , if the pain or burning gets worse when you take deep breaths or move around.

Pleuritis is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, and resolves when the infection does.
Costochondritis—an inflammation of the cartilage anchoring ribs to the breastbone—can cause sharp pain along the breastbone or sternum. It can be related to injury or infection, and typically is treated with anti-inflammatory medicines, pain relievers, and rest.

9. Anxiety - 

Although anxiety won't cause GERD, it can cause heartburn and make GERD symptoms worse.

 A person can have both anxiety-related heartburn and GERD-related heartburn. One of the signs that it's not just reflux is that treating the reflux problem doesn't make it any better.

Reducing anxiety and stress through, for example, exercise, relaxation, and therapy, can also ease heartburn.

Alcohol limitation can help prevent some cancers

when men & women drink too much alcohol, it can lead to cancers of the upper digestive tract, liver, breast in women, which could be easily prevented, of women limit themselves to one alcoholic drink a day & men to two drinks. As alcohol is known to be carcinogen. 


Alcohol: Nearly 10 percent of cancers in men—and 3 percent in women—are sparked by drinking too much alcohol, German researchers reported in April. They calculate that in the eight European countries studied, about 54,500 cases of alcohol-related cancer, such as cancers of the upper digestive tract, colon, liver and breast (in women), would have been prevented in 2008 if women limited themselves to no more than one alcoholic drink a day and men to two drinks.