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Irritable Bowel Symptoms (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Where mind meets the gut.

Dont worry! Care and hope available near you. 

IBS is a common disorder, presenting with symptoms of the gut and abdomen such as constipation, diarrhoea and many more. As high as 10% people from general population suffer from it. Psychiatrists can provide symptom relief and improved quality of life. 

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What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an illness that presents with symptoms of the gut, or the gastrointestinal system (digestive system). Have a look at the information below to learn more about it. 

How Common is IBS?

  • Rough estimates based on scientific studies show the prevalence of IBS in communities to vary from about 7 to 20%. 

  • IBS is one of the commonest presentations for visiting a GI specialist. 

  • IBS can affect all genders. 

What are common symptoms of IBS?

  • IBS typically presents with symptoms linked to the digestive system such as: 

    • Abdominal pain/cramp (पोटात दुखणे, किंवा कळ येणे, मुरडा पडणे). ​This happens typically after eating, and gets relieved by passing bowel movements. A typical description is within minutes of eating, even after having passed bowel movements in the day, the pain will manifest.

    • Diarrhea (जुलाब होणे, पातळ शौचास होणे). This may typically present as watery stools or bowel movements. Another classic complaint will be having an urge to pass bowel movements instantly and inability to wait or hold it in for long. 

    • Constipation (बद्धकोष्ठ: शौचास साफ न होणे, खूप घट्ट होणे, खूप जोर लावावा लागणे). Patients may experience difficulty in passing stools, or even if they pass stools, may have a sensation of not having cleared the stomach adequately. 

    • Bloating (पोट फुगल्यासारखे वाटणे, जड होणे). This will be experienced as sensation of fullness, and heaviness in the stomach. Patients may experience inability to digest feeling full after meals. 

    • Passing Mucus (शौचावाटे मल पडणे). Usually people who suffer from IBS notice a whitish thin layer of discharge in stools, which is called mucus. 

     Apart from these common and typical symptoms, IBS also has a few concurrent symptoms: ​

  • Farting (सतत होणार गॅस चा त्रास)

  • Dyspepsia, gastritis (पोटात होत राहणारी जळजळ, मळमळ)

  • Fatigue ( पटकन येणारा थकवा)       

When can one suspect to be suffering from IBS? (ibs 

  • So if I have any of these symptoms, do I have IBS?

    • No! Remember, IBS is a disorder that presents with symptoms related to the digestive system. But not all presentations of digestive symptoms is not IBS. It is just like: all batsmen are cricketers, but all cricketers are not batsmen. ​

    • IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. It means that, if you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should first visit your physician, or family physician or gastroenterologist near you. They will make sure that: your symptoms are not a manifestation of other disorders or infections of the digestive system with routinely employed tests such as blood counts, stool examination, if necessary, upper or lower GI endoscopy and others. 

    • When all other likely causes for these symptoms are excluded, the diagnosis of IBS will be entertained. 

  • What are pointers that suggest a diagnosis of IBS? 

    • Combination of symptoms which dont go together such as diarrhea and constipation.

    • Waxing and waning course.

    • Symptoms triggered by

      • Diet​

      • Sleep disturbances

      • Stress, anxiety

When should one consult a psychiatrist for IBS?

  • When the diagnosis of IBS is established and confirmed.

  • When the triggers and stressors are frequent and lead to symptoms.

  • When symptoms of stress and IBS affect bodily functions such as sleep, work and apetite. 

What treatment options are usually advised by psychiatrists for IBS?

  • IBS is treated with focus on three important domains: 

    • Symptom relief. ​

      • Consists of medications based on symptoms: such as anti-diarrheal and laxatives based on nature. ​

      • Antidepressants in case of severe comorbid mental health concerns/issues.

    • Stress management

      • Stressor identification.​

      • Time management. 

      • Relaxation Techniques.

    • Lifestyle modification

      • Exercise.​

      • Sleep hygeine.

    • Dietary modification: addressing following components in diet:

      • Fibre ​

      • Sugar

      • Oil

      • Carbs

Contact

Manthan Neuropsychiatry Clinic

UG-6, Krystal Plaza, Opp Yellow Chilli Restaurant. Next to Gold's Gym. Tarabai Park, Kolhapur. Maharashtra. 416003

Phone: +91-9930790433

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