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Overview of IBS.
Irritable
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Prevalence of IBS.
Causes
of IBS
Symptoms
of IBS
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Of IBS
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IBS.
By Dr.Phil Hariram
Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects up to 20% of
people in
USA and
Europe. Although it is such a common condition, it still remains a
mystery. There is no proven cause but increasingly experts are looking
at a possible nervous system cause of irritable Bowel
Syndrome ie The
Brain-Gut Axis.
The suggestion is that if the connection between the brain and the gut
is faulty Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other functional conditions of
the gut can develop.
Some say that the Brain-Gut connection controls the level of Serotonin
in the blood. It seems that higher than normal levels of serotonin is
found in diarrhoea predominant IBS and lower than normal levels are
found in constipation predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
This has lead to the development of a new range of drugs that includes
Alosetron and Tegaserod. Alosetron reduces the level of serotonin in
blood and is used to control diarrhoea in IBS and Tegaserod increases
the level of serotonin in blood and is used in constipation predominant
Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
There
are theories as to the causes
of IBS and these range from food
intolerance to stress to bad bacteria.
The
majority of patients have a mild form of IBS but others can be
seriously affected. Some have life altering IBS and often they are left
unable to hold on to a job or lead an active life. A few end up
becoming housebound.
Most
frustrating for sufferers is the fact that IBS treatment works
initially but the effect is not sustained and eventually become
ineffective. Some after trying everything available develop refractory
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This is when nothing works.
In
addition to no proven cause, there is no specific abnormality on
examination. In fact if anything is found then the diagnosis is not
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The diagnosis of Irritable
Bowel Syndrome
relies on the fact that no abnormality is found on examination. This
creates doubts in the minds of sufferers
and naturally may start thinking that their illness is all in the mind.
Added
to this is the fact that no one medication currently available is
effective in every IBS patient. With these three facts, no cause, no
abnormality in the gut and no treatment that works on every patient,
IBS sufferers face an uphill battle. The good news, however, is
that Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not lead on to long term
serious illnesses.
For
these reasons health professionals become frustrated and often
intolerant of IBS patients. Support, education and encouragement are
vital aspects in the long term treatment of Irritable
Bowel Syndrome.
Sadly a large amount of patients admit that they do not get adequate
help from experts. IBS patients gain enormously from joining support
groups. There they share their problems, give advice and support each
other. This support for IBS is important.
IBS
can affect any age group from children to middle age but mostly between
30-50 years and is more frequent in women. A large percent (up to 43%)
wait as long as 10 years before seeking professional help.
The
cost is enormous. In the UK the annual cost to the NHS is around
£45 million and the US $10billion. The indirect cost ie to
industry in US is over $20billion. In 1992 IBS was the second leading
cause behind the common cold for absenteeism from work and schools.
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome is the most common gastrointestinal condition seen by
the GPs and
specialists.
Whatever
the cause of IBS, the
gut is very sensitive and reacts to triggers such
as certain foods and stress. Some experts feel that stress and
Irritable Bowel Syndrome are
closely linked. Bloating, urgency and wind cause
embarrassment but many sufferers refuse to let Irritable Bowel Syndrome
take control and continue to live normal lives.
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome,
however, is an unpredictable condition. You cannot be sure if the next
episode will be severe or mild. At times you may be under excellent
control when suddenly for no apparent reason you may have a severe
agonising bout of explosive diarrhoea.
Some
sufferers swear by probiotics for
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Some feel
that food intolerance
and IBS are intertwined. Others think herbs for IBS is the answer. You
will find your best treatment
for IBS by trial and error. You will
quickly find that if you want control for IBS then it is up to you.
Make
sure you have good support from family, friends and your GP. Learn all
you can about your condition and very importantly do not keep it as
your little secret. You will be surprised how talking about it or
making jokes about it will help you control your Irritable
Bowel
Syndrome.
Remember
you are not alone. Good luck.
Dr.
Phil Hariram.
Retired
GP. Treated IBS patients for 27 years with support, drugs,
hypnotherapy, alternative medication and acupuncture.
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Alternative
Treatment for Irritable
Bowel Syndrome.
by
Dr. Phil Hariram.
Conventional Medicine
for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is unsatisfactory and fails most IBS
patients. The knowledgeable patient, after diagnosis is made, tend to
use alternative therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and only return to
their family doctor Read more..
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Treatment
of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
By
Dr. Phil Hariram.
At present
treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is in the form of
Patient Education.
Dietary modification. Read more...
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