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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a problem that affects a far greater number of people than you may have first imagined. Millions of people deal with the side effects related to IBS every day and in many instances, there is no set knowledge of what exactly causes the problem or how it can be treated. The problem itself affects the digestive tract within one’s body and can cause constant pain in the abdominal area as well as a combination of constipation and diarrhoea.

While little is known about IBS, there are statistics that support the notion that 20 percent of our population suffers from the related side effects during at least one stage of their life. In many cases people are too embarrassed to seek treatment, so this estimated number may in fact be even higher. More women suffer from IBS than men and the symptoms are much more common in people between the ages of 20 and 30.

There are a few set symptoms that are related to IBS and they include:
  • Constant pain within the abdomen
  • Diarrhoea or constipation
  • A constant feeling of being bloated within the body
  • Or in some instances, extreme headaches
Other less severe symptoms may include:
  • Constant bad breath
  • Burping
  • Exhaustion
  • Nausea
  • A feeling that one is not finished after taking a trip to the bathroom
The cause of IBS is largely unknown but many believe that it is related to how the human body uses the chemical serotonin. In many instances the side effects are related to people that are suffering from severe stress or are consuming too much of certain types of foods. In other cases, IBS can present itself when someone ingests a food that they are allergic to without knowing.

While many sufferers neglect to seek out treatment there are a few ways that IBS can be diagnosed. The most common form of diagnosis is simple X-rays but in some instances an endoscopy will take place. In these instances a mini tube along with a camera is inserted into the rectum in order to locate and find the area or problem that is causing the adverse reaction. Many doctors will not even consider IBS to be the problem until all other potential diseases or issues have been ruled out.

A healthy diet is often the bet way to treat and or prevent IBS. Consuming a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits and keeping yourself hydrated with a lot of water is a great start. You should also try and avoid spicy or fatty foods and gassy vegetables such as beans or even coffee. There are a number of common medicines that you can consider in order to deal with IBS but in these modern times more and more people are leaning towards acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine techniques in order to find relief. In many instances these natural treatments can provide the exact relief that many over the counter, chemically produced medicine simply cannot.

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