Skip to main content

Key symptoms and the tools used to describe Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Key symptoms of IBS



Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects 6–18 % of the world’s population. This is a bowel condition classified as a chronic disease if the typical symptoms are constantly present for at least six months. The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain and discomfort linked to bowel dysfunction. These symptoms can lead to emotional distress and much pain.

Symptoms of IBS
  • Abdominal bloating and gas – Owing to changes in digestion there is an extra build-up of wind, which manifests as an uncomfortable and swollen bowel. An IBS patient usually experiences flatulence. The pain, sometimes more discomfort than pain, is usually localized to the bowel area. IBS sufferers sometimes feel pain in the upper legs, chest, and back.
  • Problems sleeping and fatigue – Poor sleep quality may be owing to gastrointestinal symptoms, which could lead to fatigue and lethargy.
  • Constipation – The bowels don’t empty out completely; there is some pain during bowel movements.
  • Diarrhea – Sufferers may be unable to control bowel movements; stools may be watery and include some mucous.
  • Cramping – Normally after eating, IBS patients experience lower-abdominal pain and cramping. This will diminish after a bowel movement.
  • Food intolerance – In some 50% of IBS patients, certain foods or drinks can trigger a bowel movement.
  • Depression and anxiety – IBS patients can develop anxiety over digestive problems. In turn, anxiety can worsen an IBS patient’s digestive symptoms.
  • Other symptoms of IBS include feeling ill, having a backache, and experiencing problems urinating.

Tools used to assist patients to describe their symptoms

Patients can use one of two tools, namely, the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and the MyGIHealth Mobile App, to describe their symptoms to their doctor.

The Bristol Stool Form Scale, for example, may be used to describe seven different types of stool, based on visual depictions. The seven types are:

  • Type 1: Stools are divided into hard lumps resembling nuts, and are difficult to pass.
  • Type 2: Stools have a sausage-like shape, however, they are lumpy.
  • Type 3: Stools look like sausages with surface cracks visible.
  • Type 4: Stools are similar to a snake or sausage, the texture being soft and smooth.
  • Type 5: Stools are easily passed, displayed as soft blobs with definite edges.
  • Type 6: Stools are mushy, reflecting fluffy pieces with ragged edges.
  • Type 7: Stools are watery, and have no solid masses.
The MyGIHealth Mobile App is designed with the help of doctors and research from the National Institute of Health. This free app is a tool that may be used by patients to screen and evaluate signs of IBS. In addition, to properly identify IBS, and to initiate appropriate diagnostic tests and a treatment strategy, it is important to identify the correct IBS subtype.

The four IBS subgroups are:

  • IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
  • IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
  • IBS with mixed or alternating diarrhea and constipation (IBS-M)
  • IBS post-infectious (IBS-PI).

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Is the Importance of Coral Reefs to Marine Life?

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet and provide critical habitats for many species of marine life, including corals themselves. Approximately 25% of the ocean's fish depend on healthy coral reefs. There are over 1900 different types of coral, making it one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom. These animals build their homes out of calcium carbonate (limestone). This limestone provides a rigid structure that protects them from predators while providing shelter for many other species. Additionally, healthy coral reefs aren’t just vital for a healthy ocean ecosystem. Still, humans do benefit through being able to sustain subsistence and commercial fisheries, and they ensure the longevity of businesses and jobs through recreation and tourism. Coral reefs are home to a fantastic diversity of marine animals Coral reefs are home to a fantastic diversity of marine animals. A single coral reef can have more than 4,000 species of fish and other s...
Post a Comment
Read more

The King of the Reef – The Grouper Napoleon Wrasse

We all come to fish the islands in the hope of landing either a monster giant trevally, permit, milkfish, or other saltwater fish species; however, there are some species that are less well-known to the average angler, but highly sought after by the veterans that come year after year. One of those species is the Grouper Napoleon wrasse, otherwise known as the grouper. About Napoleon wrasse Don’t be misled; this fish isn’t named after a short French guy with a bad attitude sitting on a horse: there isn’t anything small about this Napoleon wrasse. In fact, its fighting power is immense, often exceeding its size. There have been recordings of male Napoleon wrasse measuring two metre and weighing in at 180 kilograms! However, one thing that is undeniable is that these giants are a thing of beauty.   Female groupers rarely grow over one metre in length. Mature adult male groupers will start to develop a large hump on their heads thus giving the fish its more universally common nam...
Post a Comment
Read more

Elements of the tropical house design

Malaysia is located in a tropical zone. Its climate is vastly different from countries like the United States and Europe, where most architectural movements and innovations originate. Should foreign architecture designs not be adapted to the Malaysian weather conditions, homes may not be comfortable throughout the year. This may mean paying a high cost to control the temperature within these homes. The traditional Malay house is built on raised pillars, homes being of wood. Knowledge regarding these structures can be incorporated into modern homes that meet the needs of a modern lifestyle. This is important, a tropical house being simply a reaction to its environment. In addition, a tropical house may either be constructed taking a passive approach: unwanted climatic elements such as rain and heat are kept out. At the same time, good elements: ventilation and illumination are increased. An active approach aims to harness some climatic elements for energy, increasing the efficienc...
Post a Comment
Read more