Irritable bowel syndrome

NINETEEN years ago, immediately after the birth of my lastborn, I started experiencing a very frustrating condition that brought misery into my life.

At the time I had anxiety and depression. I was worried about my baby who refused to take breast milk and kept me awake all night, because he was crying non-stop (I was told he was a colic baby). I also worried about work and home responsibilities – I was newly married and moved to a new job.

While struggling to cope with that pressure, I started to experience abdominal problems like :

-abdominal pain

-lots of gas.

Occasionally, I would feel the urge to go to the toilet, but when on the toilet pot, only gas would come out. Sometimes, after I finished passing stool, it would feel as if I had not fully emptied my bowel.

There would be lots of mucus coming with my stool and gas.

I realised that the symptoms were getting worse after eating certain types of food.

I visited my doctor who informed me that I was suffering from a disease called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I learnt that IBS consists of a group of symptoms and that is why it is called a syndrome.

I have come to accept that IBS is a chronic, long-term disease, which cannot be cured, but can be managed.

WHAT IS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. The problem is with the movement of the digestive system, meaning that food passes through the gut either too slowly or too quickly. There is no damage to the tissue of the digestive system, hence it is described as a functional disorder.

It is a very common disorder, estimated to affect 10-20 % of the population.

IBS is not contagious, inherited or cancerous. It appears more in women than men.

As I described earlier the symptoms includes :

1. Abdominal pain and cramps

2. Bloating

3. Gassiness (flatulence )

4. Changes in stool frequency or consistency

5. Alternating periods of diarrhoea or constipation

6. Food intolerance

7. Lack of energy

8. Backache

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel syndrome may worsen during periods of stress and during menstruation.

CAUSES

The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but experts think that it is related to increased sensitivity

MANAGEMENT OF IBS

While it is not possible to completely prevent IBS symptoms, I learnt to manage them.

At first, I figured out which food stuffs cause the symptoms. I limited them or totally cut them out of my diet.