Irritable Bowel Syndrome ~ April 2007

Painful and bloating stomach, made worse by stress or eating some kinds of food? Well it might just be you are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS as it is known. This month is IBS Awareness Month.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder which can cause troublesome and persistent symptoms. These vary greatly from person to person, but usually include chronic diarrhoea, sometimes lasting for hours or even days at a time, and/or constipation, pain, discomfort, bloating, gas and all manner of unmentionable and distressing symptoms. It is not life threatening, so mentioning it to others seems trivial. But it is not a trivial condition, it affects quality of life, results in days off work / school, can result in cancelled holidays, increased worry and anxiety.

Approximately 1 in 5 of the UK population endures this embarrassment as a given part of their lives.

The Symptoms appear to be due to an increased sensitivity of the bowel, which results in spasm of the bowel muscle. IBS is a disorder of the way in which the bowel functions. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as a “functional bowel disorder”. However as far as medical science can tell IBS is not hereditary, although other members of the family may have similar symptoms;  it is not food allergy, although some patients find they are intolerant of particular foods; it is not all in the mind, even though test results may be normal; it is not an infection, although it may have been triggered by an initial attack of gastro-enteritis; it is not bowel inflammation, as in the case of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; and it is note caused by ulcers, gallstones, cancer or other serious digestive diseases, although some patients with these conditions may have symptoms in common with IBS at some stage.

IBS is extremely common in developed countries. More than half of all patients attending gastroenterology out-patient clinics have IBS. A third of people in Britain have occasional symptoms of IBS, and 1 in 10 has symptoms bad enough to require medical attention. Women tend to seek medical attention for it more than men, but the prevalence in men and women is similar. IBS commonly starts between 15 and 40 years of age, but may occur at any age.  The symptoms differ between patients and may vary from time to time. Abdominal pain, which is often colicky in nature. It may be felt anywhere in the abdomen, but is often low down on the left. Many patients find their pain is worse when constipated. In women there may be a pattern associated with their periods. Fullness and bloating, making clothes feel tight and uncomfortable and sometimes associated with rumbling noises and flatulence.

The abdomen may also feel tender. Importantly IBS cannot be self diagnosed. If you suspect you have IBS see your medical doctor.

So what can help? Some medications may help, but it has been recognised for 20 years that hypnotherapy can often provide relief. How this works is too lengthy an explanation for this article, but I personally have seen hundreds of IBS sufferers over the years, many recommended by GPs or Gastroenterologists. For free information sheets on IBS and Hypnotherapy write to Michael Mahoney, Guardian Medical Centre, Guardian Street Warrington WA5 1UD. Or telephone: 01925-658322