Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that will need to be managed in the long term.

Only a small number of people with IBS have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. More-severe symptoms can be treated with medication and counseling.   

SYMPTOMS

• Abdominal pain, cramping or bloating that is typically relieved or partially relieved by passing a bowel movement
• Excess gas
• Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation
• Mucus in the stool

CAUSES

 Muscle contractions in the intestine 

The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract as they move food through the digestive tract. Contractions that are stronger and last longer than normal can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Weak intestinal contractions can slow food passage and lead to hard, dry stools.

Nervous system

Abnormalities in the nerves in the digestive system may cause greater than normal discomfort when the abdomen stretches from gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines can cause the body to overreact to changes that normally occur in the digestive process, resulting in pain, diarrhea or constipation.

Inflammation in the intestines

 Some people with IBS have an increased number of immune-system cells in their intestines. This immune-system response is associated with pain and diarrhea.

Severe infection

IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhea (gastroenteritis) caused by bacteria or a virus. IBS might also be associated with a surplus of bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth).

TRIGGERS

Symptoms of IBS can be triggered by:

Food

The role of food allergy or intolerance in IBS isn’t fully understood. A true food allergy rarely causes IBS. But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages, including wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks.

Stress 

Most people with IBS experience worse or more frequent signs and symptoms during periods of increased stress. But while stress may aggravate symptoms, it doesn’t cause them.

 Hormones

 Women are twice as likely to have IBS, which might indicate that hormonal changes play a role. Many women find that signs and symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.

Risk factors

• Young age: IBS occurs more frequently in people under age 50.
• Females: Estrogen therapy before or after menopause also is a risk factor for IBS.
• Have a family history of IBS: Genes may play a role, as may shared factors in a family’s environment or a combination of genes and environment.
• Have a mental health problem: Anxiety, depression and other mental health issues are associated with IBS. A history of sexual, physical or emotional abuse also might be a risk factor.

Complications

• Poor quality of life: Many people with moderate to severe IBS report poor quality of life. Research indicates that people with IBS miss three times as many days from work as do those without bowel symptoms.
• Mood disorders: Experiencing the signs and symptoms of IBS can lead to depression or anxiety. Depression and anxiety also can make IBS worse.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Mercurius corrosivus: It is the top natural medicine to treat patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. This is the best remedy for patients in whom blood and shreds of mucus membranes are passed along with the stool. The patients requiring this medicine feel a constant urge to pass stool but only scanty, hot stool of offensive odour is passed. After passing the stool, the urge reappears and the patient gets no satisfaction. Cutting pains in the rectum accompany the passage of stool.

Colchicum autumnale: It is a natural remedy used in treating those patients of Ulcerative Colitis who complain of excessive jelly-like mucus in stool. The patients experience nausea of the extreme degree and even faint from the odour of cooking food, mainly eggs and meat.

Arsenicum album: It is a natural medicine of great help for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. The main symptom guiding its use is stool with an offensive odour and dark-coloured blood in it. The complaints get worse at night and the patient feels a lot of weakness. This medicine can bring about much relief when alcoholic drinks, watery fruit or cold drinks worsen the condition. Burning painin abdomen and rectum is a constant accompanying symptom. Warm drinks generally bring relief to patients requiring medicine Arsenicum album.

Phosphorus:  It is a very beneficial remedy for patients of Ulcerative Colitis where the stool contains blood and greenish mucus with extreme offensiveness. The condition mainly gets worse in the morning. The patients show an excessive craving for cold drinks, ice cream and juicy things.

Aloe socotrina: It is among the top natural remedies for Crohn’s Disease. The patients requiring this medicine complain of loose stool which gets worse immediately after eating or drinking anything. The patient feels a sudden urge to pass stool and has to rush to the toilet. Aloe socotrina also brings relief from the cutting pains in lower abdomen which gets worse before and during passing stool and get better after the stool is passed out. Faintness usually follows stool. This medicine can also control diarrhea that gets worsedue to the intake of beer.