Irritable bowel

Overview

The causes and mechanisms aren't known in detail. A genetically predisposed hyperactivity of the nervous system in the gut is suspected. This causes bloating, abdominal pain and impaired evacuation of the bowels. Treatment includes individual approaches such as a change in diet and relaxation techniques.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain and discomfort (e.g. bloating)
  • Feeling of pressure or being bloated and cramps
  • Improves after bowel movement
  • No symptoms during the night
• Impaired evacuation of the bowels
  • Constipation or diarrhoea, frequent need to pass stools
  • Feels as if bowel isn’t completely emptied
  • Possibly mucus in stools, NO blood
• Additional pain syndromes
  • Fibromyalgia (more than 50% of patients)
  • Headaches (up to 50%)
  • Back problems (more than 50% of women)
• Food intolerances
  • Lactose, fructose and sorbitol (artificial sweetener)
  • Often discomfort during eating
• Psychological symptoms (sometime cause, sometimes consequence)
  • Anxiety disorder (e.g. fear of cancer), depression, etc.
  • Affects around half of irritable bowel patients
• Accompanying effects
  • Sleep disorders and fatigue
  • Heart palpitations, reduced quality of life.

The following can cause similar symptoms:

• Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Coeliac disease (sprue), endometriosis
• Food allergy, chronic intestinal obstruction
• Neurological conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s)
• Bowel cancer (mostly in advanced age)

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Mechanisms aren’t known in detail

Hypotheses

• Genetically predisposed hyperactivity of the nervous system in the gut
  • Intensive awareness of stretch stimuli in this organ
  • Impaired gut motility
• Inflammatory processes
• Stress and psychological conflict
• Food intolerances

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Stool analysis and blood tests
• Ultrasound, contrast radiography, CT scan (computed tomography)
• Colonoscopy (endoscopy of colon) with biopsy (removal of tissue samples), if necessary

A diagnosis may only be made if no organic causes for the bowel and digestive problems have been found (diagnosis of exclusion)

Possible therapies

• Individual, no standard approach, trying out of various methods
• Antispasmodic medication
• Alternative medical practices
• Psychological counselling and psychotropic medication, if necessary

What can I do myself?

• Eat smaller meals more frequently (rather than three big meals a day)
• Chew food well, drink enough (approx. 1.5 litres per day)
• Limit consumption of cheese and other high-protein dairy products
• Don't eat food causing flatulence (onions, cabbage, celery, etc.)
• Lots of exercise, relaxation
• Avoid stress
• Household remedies for abdominal cramps or pain:
  • Moist warm stomach poultices
  • Chamomile, fennel or caraway tea
  • Peppermint oil (for rubbing, in capsule form)

Get a personal Preventive Care Recommendation now.

When to see a doctor?

• Massive or unusual diarrhoea
• High fever
• Blood in stools
• Weight loss, night sweats

In the second half of life, stool irregularities should always be investigated by a doctor.

Further information

Selbsthilfe Schweiz (Self-Help Support Switzerland)
www.selbsthilfeschweiz.ch

Synonyms

irritable bowel, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable colon, functional abdominal complaint, IBS, nervous colon, spastic colon