A Poorly Understood Disorder

• Each year a poorly understood intestinal disorder wreaks havoc upon the lives of millions of patients and their families. Persons suffering from this condition, which is known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, may endure lengthy periods of unrelenting discomfort as well as symptoms that can trigger overwhelming anxiety. Researchers have not found a clear cause for the malady, but they suspect it is related to faulty communication between the brain and intestinal tract. Although there is currently no cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, most individuals can successfully manage this long-term condition by working diligently with their physicians.
  Irritable Bowel Syndrome--or IBS--is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists. The American College of Gastroenterology estimates that Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects more than 58 million people--three-fourths of whom suffer silently without seeking medical care. IBS affects 10 to 20 percent of the population in North America. The condition afflicts women twice as often as men.
  Abdominal pain is the hallmark symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Other related symptoms include bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Non-gastrointestinal symptoms may include anxiety or depression, fatigue, headaches, backaches, insomnia, sexual problems, heart palpitations and urinary difficulties.
  
  

Brain-body Connection

• Our brains and intestinal tracts, which develop in the same part of the human embryo, are linked by vast numbers of nerves. Researchers believe this "brain-body" connection is a key aspect of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
  Numerous studies using placebo therapy have illustrated the brain's profound impact on the gastrointestinal tract. In most of these studies, half of the patients who unknowingly took non-medicinal sugar pills achieved at least partial pain relief. This demonstrates the powerful influence that hope and a positive outlook have on our stomachs and intestines.
  The brain-body connection is also a two-way street. The pain associated with intestinal symptoms can negatively alter an individual's attitude.
  
  

IBS Diagnosis and Management

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome is classified as a "functional" disorder. That means unlike conditions such as diabetes or high-blood pressure that are easily detected though routine tests, a diagnosis of IBS is made only after ruling out other possible causes of the symptoms. Often when patients seek medical help, they end up undergoing a myriad of exams before being diagnosed with IBS.
  IBS Syndrome can be a vexing medical condition. Its lingering symptoms may appear and then vanish seemingly without rhyme or reason. Selecting the best treatment strategy is often a grueling process of trial-and-error. Because no individuals are exactly the same, the optimal management of IBS depends heavily on a physician-patient relationship based on mutual honesty, respect and trust. It's important that patients freely discuss their symptoms during appointments with their healthcare providers, even though the topics associated with Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome do not always encourage candor.
  Some gastroenterologists urge their IBS patients to initially focus on lifestyle changes like diet modifications and stress reduction. Many IBS patients keep a food diary in hopes of pinpointing specific foods that can lead to flare-ups of their symptoms. Cereal fiber, chocolate and coffee have been known to trigger symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Many IBS patients benefit from simply learning to unwind through the use of relaxation techniques. Staying physically fit is also good advice for individuals with IBS. In addition, hypnosis may prove helpful.
  Over-the-counter remedies targeting symptoms of IBS are generally safe but not always completely effective. Physicians have an arsenal of prescription medications to treat more severe cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Antidepressants are one of the best medications for IBS. Newer medications also have been developed to focus not only on bowel problems but also the pain and other symptoms that IBS patients frequently endure.
  One emerging IBS treatment that is generating considerable interest involves the use of microorganisms called probiotics that are found in yogurt. Known as "healthy" bacteria, probiotics can help improve colon function and also relieve symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome.