What do you need to know about irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines.
It is a chronic pathology, therefore, it requires long-term and adequate management.
The exact cause of the disease is not known, but contributing factors include: intestinal muscle contraction, intestinal inflammation, acute infections, microflora and hormonal changes, allergic reaction, stress.
Diagnosis
There's no test to definitively diagnose IBS.
Your health care provider is likely to start with a complete medical history, physical exam and tests to rule out other conditions, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Stool analysis, colonoscopy, computed tomography, laboratory analysis of lactose intolerance may be prescribed.
Treatment
The goal of the course of treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is to relieve the symptoms, therefore, to improve the general health of the patient.
In case of mild symptoms, it is recommended to change the diet, regulate sleep, engage in physical activity, and manage stress.
In the case of relatively acute symptoms, appropriate medications are prescribed.
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