Abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea: Many people are diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. You can find out which treatment is successful here.
Every now and then everyone feels a pinch in their stomach. But IBS patients often struggle with gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal cramps, constipation and malaise. The causes of the disease have not been conclusively clarified, but those affected can still do a lot about their symptoms.
What is irritable bowel syndrome? These symptoms are typical
As the name suggests, patients have intestinal complaints that can vary considerably from person to person. According to Techniker Krankenkasse, the following symptoms are typical of irritable bowel syndrome , although not all of them have to occur at once:
- Abdominal pain that gets better after a bowel movement
- Abdominal cramps and / or pressure
- Bloating
- Gas, which can be painful
- malaise
- Irregular bowel movements (often alternating constipation and diarrhea)
Anyone who frequently observes such symptoms should consult a gastroenterologist who specializes in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Only such a specialist can diagnose "irritable bowel syndrome" because it must first be clarified whether the symptoms are not caused by another disease. If this is not the case and the irritable bowel symptoms have existed for more than three months, the diagnosis "irritable bowel" is considered confirmed and the doctor initiates appropriate therapy.
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How does an irritable bowel develop?
How exactly irritable bowel syndrome occurs has not been conclusively clarified. Various triggers are discussed. According to the Internet portal internists, scientific studies show that intestinal movements are disturbed in irritable bowel patients and the intestinal mucosa is particularly sensitive. But the psyche also seems to play a major role : worries, fears or nervousness would also have an impact on digestion and can thus promote irritable bowel syndrome.
Often there is also the thesis that an unhealthy lifestyle including alcohol, nicotine and poor diet promote irritable bowel syndrome. However, like the assumption that fungal infections in the intestine are responsible for irritable bowel syndrome, this has not been scientifically proven . However, irritable bowel syndrome patients can react to certain foods with discomfort. The aim here is to find out which foods you are sensitive to and not to eat them too often.
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To be able to better treat irritable bowel symptoms, doctors differentiate between symptoms of the upper and lower digestive tract. If a patient suffers from stomach problems more often, doctors speak of functional dyspepsia or irritable stomach. In the case of intestinal problems, one speaks of irritable bowel syndrome, the treatment of which will be discussed in more detail below .
In the case of a mild course, according to the portal internists on the Internet, a change in diet can alleviate the symptoms. Experience has shown that foods such as bloating cabbage vegetables, coffee, hot spices, onions or beans are a problem for many irritable bowel patients . With the help of a food diary and / or a nutritionist, patients can identify foods that they cannot tolerate well. These should then be largely avoided.
If the attending physician suspects that the psyche is involved, he will advise psychotherapeutic measures such as behavioral therapy . The aim is to learn to better cope with conflicts and problems.
Your opinion is asked
The following measures are also promising in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome :
- Relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or yoga
- Home remedies such as psyllium husks for constipation or ginger tea for stomach pain
If these measures do not help, doctors will recommend medication . Depending on the symptoms, it can be antispasmodic with butylscopolamine, mebeverine or peppermint oil for abdominal pain, drugs with the drug loperamide for diarrhea or so-called laxatives for constipation.
Also read : Getting digestion in order - four steps for a healthier intestinal flora .
Diet for irritable bowel syndrome
According to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, little research has been done on the influence of nutrition. Everyone also reacts differently to different foods, which makes it difficult to give specific dietary recommendations. However, some foods are suspected of making irritable bowel symptoms worse . Those affected should note the following:
- Fermentable carbohydrates can begin to ferment in the intestine and cause flatulence, which is why they should be eaten in moderation (they are found in fructose (simple sugar), lactose and starch (multiple sugars) or sweeteners (sugar alcohols)).
- Irritable bowel patients should use more fiber (contained in whole grain products and vegetables, among other things).
The above information is not a substitute for going to a specialist. Only this person can diagnose "irritable bowel syndrome" and initiate appropriate therapy .
More on the topic : Sugar-free diet - how to lose weight quickly and healthily.
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