Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes and Triggers
Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a common digestive disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health, it affects as many as 12% of Americans, so it is important to know irritable bowel syndrome causes.
IBS can range from mild to severe and may have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Furthermore, symptoms can come and go, sometimes lasting for weeks or months at a time.
So, what causes IBS and what can be done to relieve it? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is IBS?
IBS is one of the most common digestive disorders in the United States. It can vary in its severity and affects different people in different ways.
The most common symptoms of IBS include:
- Abdominal cramps which tend to be worse after eating and better after using the bathroom
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Blood or mucus in the stools
- Nausea
- Backache
- Bladder problems
- Tiredness
Some people with IBS tend to suffer more from constipation. This is known as constipation-dominant IBS (IBS-C). Others suffer more from diarrhea and this is known as diarrhea-dominant IBS (IBS-D). Some people with the condition experience a mixture of constipation and diarrhea and this is known as mixed type IBS (IBS-M).
However, although there are three different types of IBS, they all have very similar causes.
How Does IBS Start?
IBS is what doctors call a functional digestive disorder. It is not caused by inflammation or damage to the intestines like inflammatory bowel disease. Most experts agree that IBS is caused by a dysfunction in the way that the brain communicates with the gut. Some people now refer to this as “disorder of gut-brain interaction.”
This dysfunction can cause the bowel to become overly sensitive to certain foods. Alternatively, it can change the way the muscles of the gut contract, making food pass through the intestines too quickly or too slowly.
The exact reasons why some people develop IBS are unclear. However, it is more likely to occur in people who have a family history of IBS.
Furthermore, women are twice as likely to be affected than men. Many women find that their symptoms worsen around the time of their menstrual period, suggesting that hormones may also be a factor.
A bacterial infection such as food poisoning or a virus is often the cause of "stomach bug" symptoms, which is medically known as post-infectious IBS.
IBS Triggers
Many people find that certain foods trigger their IBS symptoms. These foods tend to vary from person to person, but some of the most common IBS triggers include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Spicy food
- Fatty, greasy, or deep-fried food
- Beans
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel’s sprouts)
- Onions
- Carbonated drinks
- Chocolate
- Milk
- Raw and dried fruit
In order to identify your personal IBS triggers, try keeping a diary for two to three weeks. Log everything you eat and drink, along with any changes in your symptoms.
After a few weeks, you should see a pattern emerging, which will help you find out which foods may be triggering your IBS. You can then eliminate these trigger foods from your diet and see whether your symptoms improve.
Another common IBS trigger is stress. Many people with the condition find that their symptoms become worse at times of high stress or anxiety. This IBS trigger can be managed by practicing relaxation techniques on a regular basis, getting enough exercise and sleep, and using talking therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Managing Your IBS Triggers
Once you have identified your IBS triggers and removed them from your diet, you should see some improvement in your symptoms. However, there are also several lifestyle modifications that people with IBS can make to help them manage symptoms on a daily basis:
- Cook homemade food from scratch whenever possible
- Do not skip or delay your meals
- Eat slowly and chew your food well
- Try using a daily probiotic supplement
- Do not eat more than three portions of fruit each day
- Do not drink more than three cups of tea or coffee each day
- Prepare for trips out by knowing where public bathrooms are located
- Carry a kit including wet wipes and a change of underwear in case of accidents
You can also manage specific IBS symptoms by doing the following:
- Avoid constipation by exercising regularly, drinking enough water and eating high-fiber foods
- Avoid diarrhea by avoiding high-fiber foods and artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol
- Reduce bloating by avoiding hard-to-digest foods such as beans and cruciferous vegetables and artificial sweeteners like sorbitol
If you cannot control your IBS symptoms by making these changes and modifying your diet, talk to your physician. They will be able to prescribe medication to help you manage your IBS symptoms. This could include anti-spasmodic medications such as scopolamine (Buscopan) or antidepressants to help improve gut function.
When to See a Doctor About IBS
Although IBS does not cause damage to the bowels or increase the risk of cancer, its symptoms can be confused with other, more serious conditions. You should see your physician if you experience any of the following:
- Unexpected weight loss
- Rectal bleeding
- A hard lump in the abdomen
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Pale skin
Your doctor will be able to rule out any further problems and advise you on the best way to manage your symptoms.
