\u2013 It is found that about 11.2% of people worldwide suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).<\/p>\n
\u2013 IBS is generally divided into 3 types, depending on the clinical presentation.<\/p>\n
\u2013 One possible cause or risk factor of IBS could be the gut-brain axis interaction, which is also called functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, affecting the sensitivity of the gut.<\/p>\n
\u2013 International guidelines have strongly recommended the use ofsoluble fiber (and not insoluble fiber) as an effective treatment for the global symptoms of IBS.<\/p>\n
\n
Introduction<\/h3>\n
Irritable bowel syndrome<\/strong>, or\u00a0IBS<\/strong>\u00a0for short, is also a condition known as \u2018sensitive gut\u2019. It is a relatively common long-term digestive system condition. It is found that about\u00a011.2% of people worldwide<\/strong>\u00a0suffer from IBS [1], although the prevalence may be different across different countries, with other studies citing a prevalence of about 4.4% to 4.8% in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom [2].<\/p>\n It is characterized with frequent\u00a0abdominal pain<\/strong>\u00a0coupled with symptoms of\u00a0constipation and\/or diarrhea<\/strong>. What are the other symptoms one with IBS will usually face, and how is it being managed and treated? Read on to find out more.<\/p>\n IBS is generally divided into 3 types [3]:<\/p>\n \u2013 IBS-D (diarrhea) Although there are no tests for IBS, doctors may do blood tests to rule out other possible conditions causing similar symptoms as IBS, including celiac diseases or\u00a0inflammatory bowel diseases<\/a>\u00a0[4]. Your doctor may use a certain set of criteria called\u00a0Rome IV diagnostic criteria<\/strong>, which evaluates based on the pattern and frequency of abdominal pain and its association with bowel movement, as well as whether there is a change in the frequency and consistency of your stools [5].<\/p>\n The doctors will then categorization based on the predominant stool consistency, based on the\u00a0Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS)<\/strong>\u00a0and the Rome IV criteria.<\/p>\n Although we do not know the actual cause of why IBS occurs, there have been different postulations as to why IBS develops in some people. One possible issue could be with the\u00a0gut-brain axis<\/a>\u00a0interaction<\/strong>, which is also called functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder [6]. This occurs when there are issues with how your brain and gut works together, which affects the sensitivity of your gut. This interaction also affects the bowel muscles functions, which may explain the symptoms experienced by patients suffering from IBS.<\/p>\n Some conditions and diseases may also make someone more prone to getting IBS. You may be at higher risk of developing IBS if you have [6,7]:<\/p>\n \u2013 A family history of IBS Patients suffering from IBS typically present with the following [8]:<\/p>\n \u2013 Abdominal pain and cramping Although patients may be classified as either IBS-C or IBS-D, over half of the patients are likely to change the subtype over a 1-year period [9], and hence presentations and symptoms may change for these patients, with some presenting with\u00a0alternating constipation and diarrhea<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some patients may also experience mucus in their stools and fatigue\/ tiredness.<\/p>\n Several international guidelines have outlined the management of IBS depending on the subtypes of IBS. Such guidelines consist of both lifestyle advice and the different medications that can be used to manage and treat IBS. For this section, we will refer to guidelines on IBS management from both the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) [10], as well as the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) [11].<\/p>\n Lifestyle \u2013\u00a0Fiber<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Both guidelines have outlined the importance of using\u00a0soluble fiber<\/strong>\u00a0(and not insoluble fiber) as an effective treatment for the global symptoms of IBS. The guidelines have both recommended the use of soluble fiber for managing IBS symptoms after reviewing results from multiple clinical trials and found that soluble fiber intake was able to relief IBS symptoms significantly as compared to placebo. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, may exacerbate symptoms such as bloating and pain.<\/p>\n Soluble fiber did not show any significant side effects as well, and hence the guidelines have provided a strong recommendation to the use soluble fiber as a reasonable\u00a0first-line therapy<\/strong>\u00a0in managing patients with IBS symptoms.<\/p>\n Other lifestyle changes<\/strong><\/p>\n Frequent exercise may be able to help manage IBS as well, as recommended by the BSG guidelines. A reasonable 2nd<\/sup>-line management option can include the use of a low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for\u00a0fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, polyols<\/strong>. These substances lead to increase fermentation in the colon, producing short-chain fatty acids and gases, triggering symptoms of IBS in certain patients. Although potentially a viable option for the treatment of IBS, these guidelines believe that the complexity of implementing this diet means that patients should be under the supervision of trained dieticians.<\/p>\n Medications<\/strong><\/p>\n If your condition is not sufficiently managed by lifestyle changes, your doctor may consider the use of certain medications, depending on the subtype of your IBS and severity of your IBS symptoms. The types of medications include:<\/p>\n \u2013 Loperamide Your doctor will decide which is the best treatment option for your IBS condition.<\/p>\n Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a relatively common chronic gastrointestinal condition that affects about 10% of people worldwide. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain and constipation and\/or diarrhea, which will determine the subtype of IBS, although the presentation may vary as the disease progresses. One of the first-line treatment of IBS recommended by international guidelines such as the ACG and BSG include the use of soluble fiber, which is especially helpful for patients who suffer from constipation symptoms from IBS. Other lifestyle changes also include regular exercise and possible use of low FODMAPs diet.<\/p>\n Article is written in conjunction with IBS Month every April.<\/em><\/p>\n Key Points: \u2013 It is found that about 11.2% of people worldwide suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). \u2013 IBS is generally divided into 3 types, depending on the clinical presentation. \u2013 One possible cause or risk factor of IBS could be the gut-brain axis interaction, which is also called functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, affecting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2057,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat are the different types of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?<\/h3>\n
\n\u2013 IBS-C (constipation)
\n\u2013 IBS-M (mixed), or also known as IBS-A (alternating)<\/p>\nWhat are the causes and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?<\/h3>\n
\n\u2013 Emotional stressors, tensions, or anxiety
\n\u2013 Bacterial infections of the gut
\n\u2013 Intolerance to certain foods
\n\u2013 Certain genetic composition<\/p>\nWhat are the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?<\/h3>\n
\n\u2013 Bloating and passing of gas
\n\u2013\u00a0Constipation<\/a>
\n\u2013 Diarrhea<\/p>\nHow to manage irritable bowel syndrome?<\/h3>\n
\n\u2013 Lubiprostone
\n\u2013 Linaclotide, plecanatide
\n\u2013 Tegaserod
\n\u2013 Rifaximin
\n\u2013 Alosetron (for women)
\n\u2013 Eluxadoline
\n\u2013 Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine)
\n\u2013 Clidinium with chlordiazepoxide<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h3>\n
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\n4 Health Benefits of Dietary Fiber<\/a><\/p>\nReferences<\/h3>\n
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