What is irritable bowel syndrome?

** What is irritable bowel syndrome article podcast; Listen :** **Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a disease that causes pain and problems in the intestine....some patients with this disease have frequent stools and diarrhea....and others do not have enough excretion and suffer from constipation....and some patients move between diarrhea and constipation.**

**Suggested reading:** **Overview of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome - part one**

#### **What are the symptoms of IBS?** **Symptoms of this disease are:** - ** Stomach pain and cramps due to defecation** - **diarrhea or constipation... (of course, some people move between constipation and diarrhea)** - **flatulence** - **gastric and intestinal gas**

Detailed review of colonoscopy procedures

#### **Is there a test for IBS?** **No....there is no specific test to diagnose IBS....but the doctor may ask you some questions to diagnose IBS....and with other tests to make sure that you don't have any other disease besides IBS.** **Many medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome...so it is very important that a doctor investigates the possibility of this disease.**

#### **What can be done to feel better?** **For IBS disease, you can follow the following instructions:** **1- Keep a journal to track everything you eat throughout the day and list everything you did or ate throughout the day....this way you can see which activities aggravate or improve your symptoms.** **2- Avoid foods that may aggravate IBS... Avoid foods that cause gas and then cut out milk, ice cream, and other dairy foods for two weeks.. You can also ask your doctor about foods that make irritable bowel syndrome worse.** **3- If you are constipated, eat more fiber....you can do this by eating fruits and vegetables....or you can even use fiber pills or powder....(If you feel that eating fiber makes the symptoms worse, you can reduce the fiber)** **4- Exercise....According to reports, 20 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, three to five times a week can greatly improve IBS symptoms.**

#### **What is the treatment of IBS?** **Medications can reduce IBS symptoms.. but there is no definitive cure for it.. Counseling may also help improve IBS... as stress and worry can make it worse.** **Medications that can help with IBS symptoms include:** - **Drugs to reduce diarrhea** - **medications to reduce constipation** - **Antidepressants: These drugs work by blocking pain....When used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, they are prescribed at much lower doses than in patients with depression.** - **antispasmodic** - **Antibiotics: some of these drugs help with bloating and diarrhea.**

**Suggested reading:** **Overview of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Drugs - Part II**

#### **What is life like for people with IBS?** ** Most of the people who have this disease will face this disease for the rest of their lives... Although they must find ways to improve their symptoms on their own ** **The key to success is to consult with your doctor to find the method that works best for you over all other methods.** **If you also suffer from this disease, it is better to visit a qualified specialist as soon as possible for an initial examination and to start the treatment process.**

> **Dr. Mehdi Afzal Aghaei is a specialist in digestive and liver diseases in Mashhad and has a specialized board to support your health.** > > ** To make an appointment, you can call (051) 38704066 every day.** > > **Practice address: Mashhad - Kausar Boulevard - between Kausar 2 and 4 - Farabi Building - second floor** **Gastroenterologist in Mashhad** ==================================== **\*Gastroenterologist in Mashhad\***