What is IBS and its Misconception

Until 1992, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or more commonly known as IBS, is not commonly known. Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by frequent cramping of the stomach, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. These cause a great deal of distress and discomfort but will never lead to more aggravated condition since it does not cause permanent harm on the sufferer.

Some may experience single symptoms, say constipation. Many people though report of having cramping or straining without any or minimal release of stool. These people experience mucus release along with their bowel too. Mucus is a fluid-form lubricant that helps moisten the digestive passages for easier release of digested materials. Some patients, on the other hand, undergo diarrhea, which is characterized with frequent release of uncontrollable watery stools. But some endure alternate constipation and diarrhea.

There are many misconception on this condition. Here are some facts about IBS you might not know:

1) It is not fatal

There are some people who thought that IBS is incurable based on the impression from their doctors. You can be rest assured that you will not die from IBS.

2) Not as uncommon as you think

IBS is not something which you hear people talking about it due to this stigma which attached to anything to do with the bowels. In fact few IBS sufferers actually talk about their condition. Therefore you have to realise that you are not alone. There are many sufferers but they just don't talk about it.

3) Its cause is still unknown

This is probably what makes IBS so exasperating. While the exact cause of this condition is quite unknown, it is a fact that the symptoms of this illness can be triggered by different factors. Although there is no cure for IBS, there are a lot of things you can do to improve the condition.

4) There are various and seemingly contradicting symptoms

Many people expect this type of illness to be diagnosed using a standard set of symptoms. This means that many people expect to see the same set of symptoms in people suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, you should realize that each case of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be different in symptoms. Some people experience diarrhea while others may experience constipation. Only after a series of tests can a physician truly say that a person has irritable bowel syndrome.

5) Your diet is a factor

Since irritable bowel syndrome mostly affects the digestive process, it is the case that what you eat can affect how you feel. When eating, remember that you need to have lots of soluble fiber. This helps stabilize your digestive process and prevent both diarrhea and constipation.

Here are some main IBS food to avoid:

a) High- fat
b) Alcohol
c) Carbonated Drinks
d) Coffee (even decaffeinated coffee is not good)
e) Dairy Products (even for those without lactose intolerance)

6) Not all types of fiber can help

There are different articles circulating around the web that promote eating different foods with fiber. They often cite fruits and vegetables as examples of what a person suffering from irritable bowel disease (IBS) should eat plenty of. However, people should realize the fact that these contain insoluble fiber that could worsen the symptoms of the illness. What people need to do is to take soluble fiber supplements together with these foods in order to balance the activity in the stomach.