Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Functional Abdominal Pain

IBS is a chronic, treatable disorder that can cause abdominal pain, bloating and abnormal bowel movements. People with IBS have chronic diarrhea, constipation or both, for example several weeks of constipation followed by several days of diarrhea. For some people, it involves a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

Abdominal pain can occur at any time of the day. Some can go two weeks without pain and then have a day of crippling pain. Each patient has their own pattern. For some people, IBS is merely a nuisance. For others, the pain is so severe that it dominates the person's life. People can spend hours a day in the bathroom because of diarrhea, avoid social activities for fear of losing control of their stool, and suffer loss of dignity.

There is no specific test for IBS. All laboratory and x-ray tests are normal, yet the colon does not function normally. Thus, IBS is called a "functional disorder."

Treatment for IBS often comes as a package. Patients may need to try a combination of the following measures:

• Get diagnosed. Getting a diagnosis validates that there is a problem. Then you are in position to get control.
  
  
• Establish a good relationship with a physician.
  
  
• Eat more fiber. Fiber which gently stretches the bowel wall, actually decreases the tension in the bowel. (View the high fiber diet.)
  
  
• Avoid culprit foods. Fatty foods can aggravate symptoms in some people. Each person needs to figure out which foods trigger symptoms.
  
  
• Medication. Occasionally, antispasmotic medications can help with abdominal cramping. In some cases antidiarrheal medications or laxatives can be beneficial. A handful of experimental drugs are being tested.
  
  
• Reduce stress. Although IBS is not "all in the head," stress can aggravate the symptoms, and often in a complicated way. Many IBS patients benefit from relaxation techniques, breathing exercises or meditation. Reducing stress may warrant counseling.