You’ve probably heard of irritable bowel syndrome. You might even be an official member of the #hotgirlshaveIBS club. But what exactly is IBS? IBS, short for irritable bowel syndrome, is a common condition that affects the large intestine. Let’s pause on the word “disorder” for a second, because “disease” and “disorder” are often used interchangeably in health care, and here are some important differences to help us understand. A disease usually has a clear cause and a set of symptoms — which can be measured. Examples include influenza (contagious), psoriasis (autoimmune), and depression (psychiatric). Disorder occurs when your daily planning is interrupted – it is clear that something is interrupted and you may experience a range of symptoms, but it is not as clear-cut as a disease. In the case of IBS, there are no biomarkers, and any test you take will not indicate whether you are positive or negative.
That’s why women with IBS sometimes struggle to find answers. I say women because hello, this is Cosmo, and because according to the Cleveland Clinic, women are twice as likely as men to have IBS. “Women are more likely to have a lower risk of irritable bowel syndrome is unclear, but the sex hormone disorder can lead to the change of intestinal bacteria, increase the inflammation, makes you more susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome,” m.d. Jennifer Roland said, she is a certified by the committee, gynecology and obstetrics doctor, is also Well Woman MD of the company’s chief executive.
First, let’s go through the types. There are four main types of irritable bowel BS, says John Damianos, M.D., an internist specializing in gastroenterology at Yale New Haven Hospital. To help you and your doctor figure out what type of IBS you’re dealing with, it’s helpful to start a “poop journal” to keep track of… The details. Are you ready? (Warning: We’ll be very, very specific about 💩.)
What is IBS-D?
The “D” here stands for diarrhea. As a point of reference, let’s assume that a healthy stool is the consistency of a peeled banana. If you have IBS-D, you’ll notice that when you look at your poop diary, more than a quarter of the poop is the consistency of a smoothie or even a glass of orange juice instead of a cute banana. Less than a quarter of the stools were hard, lumpy, like dried fruit or pretzels. You will have frequent, pressing urges to go to the bathroom, and in between trips you may feel very gassy. Abdominal pain is also a problem.
What is IBS-C?
The “C” stands for constipation — the opposite of IBS-D. More than a quarter of the droppings are hard, lumpy bits of dried fruit and crumbly biscuits, when you want them to be as thick as bananas. Overall, you have fewer bowel movements – it’s like a gift when you have to go, and even then, you might really struggle to get the job done. Like those with IBS-D, you are friends with abdominal pain, gas, and bloating.
What is IBS-M?
Dr. Damianos says it’s a ‘mixed type,’ where diarrhea and constipation alternate. Sometimes, you’ll be super excited to play ping-pong on the same day. And you can’t get rid of the standard symptoms: abdominal pain, gas and bloating.
What is IBS-u?
“U” stands for uncertain, which means you “don’t exactly fit the D, C or M criteria, but you clearly have abdominal pain, which is related to changes in stool,” Dr. Damianos said. Lucky you!
What are the risk factors of IBS?
- Age <50
- Females
- Family history/genetic predisposition
- Anxiety/depression/mental health issues
- Poor quality of life
A common example of poor quality of life is the SAD diet, also known as the standard American diet high in processed foods and sugar, Dr. Rolandes said. She said: ‘This diet produces a malnourished bacterial flora that leads to weight gain and IBS symptoms.
When it comes to mental health issues, “high stress or prior trauma can disrupt serotonin pathways in the brain and gut. It can also lead to inflammation and sex hormone disruption.”
What causes irritable bowel syndrome?
No matter what type of IBS you have, it can be hard to pinpoint the root cause because, like your undecided friend, there are so many possibilities. But studies have shown that some common factors are:
Intestines and the brain’s communication disorders, will be affected by stress and anxiety: “brain and intestines are two sides of the same coin – biologically, they from the same initial cells – so if you have a problem with my brain, your gut is more likely to be a problem, and vice versa,” damien, said Dr. “We see this clinically. If we look at people with psychiatric disorders, like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, those people are more likely to have GI dysfunction. Similarly, people with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome, or coeliac disease, are more likely to develop neurological and psychiatric problems, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Previous intestinal infection or food poisoning: “This is called post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome and can occur suddenly after an intestinal infection,” says Max Pittman, MD, gastroenterologist and medical director of Salvo Health. “It’s a chronic disease that can take years to go away,” he added. But unlike IBS, which is determined by symptoms mentioned earlier, PI-IBS lets you know the cause of IBS.
Genetics: “Not in a direct genetic way (for example, if my parents had IBS, then so will I), but more generally, if IBS runs in your family, you may be more likely to get it at some point,” says Dr Pitman.
Other potential contributing factors include: intestinal bacterial imbalance or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO); Changes in gut “motility,” or how fast food and waste move through the digestive tract; And finally visceral allergies, sensitive nerves in the gastrointestinal tract
When should I see my IBS doctor?
If you have symptoms for more than two weeks, it may be time to see your doctor. Dr. Rolandes says you can make the most of your appointments by planning
questions like:
- When did the pain start?
- How often do you have digestive symptoms?
- Do you have constipation or diarrhea typically?
- How long have you been having this problem?
- Does anything make your digestive symptoms better or worse?
In addition to your poop journal, Dr. Rolandes strongly recommends that patients bring along a five-day food diary. “Write down what you ate for each meal and snack, and then note how you feel 15 minutes to two hours later,” she says. “Give this information to your doctor to help them assess what is causing your digestive symptoms.” Once diagnosed, you can focus on possible treatments and show IBS patients who’s boss.
What are the possible treatments for IBS?
If you only have mild symptoms, some basic lifestyle adjustments may help: manage stress, get enough sleep, exercise, drink plenty of water. But we know, we know. Easier said than done.
So if your symptoms persist or worsen: keep a food journal for a few days and talk to your doctor about reducing or eliminating foods that may trigger allergies. Your doctor may also want you to avoid FODMAPs, gluten, and/or foods high in gas (including carbonated beverages and alcohol).
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also suggest:
- Fiber supplements
- Probiotics
- Laxatives
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Pain medications
- Certain antidepressants
- Prescriptions specifically for IBS (based on your type)
Because IBS is so closely associated with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and mood disorders, your doctor may also recommend therapy as part of your treatment.