Ailments and Situations - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

 

(also referred to as ...)

IBS, Irritable Colon, Neurogenic Mucous Colitis, Spastic Colitis, Unstable Colon

 
Description

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a physical condition that affects 15% of the North American population. It occurs more frequently in adult women than men.

Research is being done into the potential links between IBS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia.

 
Symptoms and Signs:

In approximately 25% of cases, constipation alternates with a normal bowel movement and diarrhea. Pain is experienced in the area below your breastbone. There may also be feelings of an incomplete bowel movement.

Stool is usually small, hard, narrow, cylindrical, fragmented. Mucus may also be present in the stool.

The lower, descending portion of the colon (located on your left side) is sensitive to the touch and also spasms during an attack. A rectal examination often shows up negative (no lesions, inflammation, colon dilation, et cetera).

Additional symptoms include anxiety, faintness, fatigue, flushing, headache, insomnia, menstrual cramps, nervousness, sweating and frequent urination

 

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