IBS Symptoms

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a condition which affects the way that the gut functions, causing abdominal pain and altered bowel movements. IBS is a very common problem. This is shown by the fact that one in five people in the UK develop IBS at some time in their lives.

This article will examine the common symptoms of IBS.

The symptoms of IBS and their severity can vary enormously from one sufferer to another. Some people have such mild IBS symptoms that they never consult a doctor about them, whilst other people have more painful ones.

The most common IBS symptom is abdominal pain which can be alleviated by a bowel movement. This pain is usually caused by cramps, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation.

Most sufferers find that this abdominal pain strikes them at a certain time of day, often in the evening. Whilst women often find that their IBS symptoms are linked to their menstrual cycle.

IBS symptoms seem to vary slightly by gender. For instance, women IBS sufferers are more likely than men to have constipation than diarrhoea and to find urination painful.

Other IBS symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Excess wind

There are also a number of secondary IBS symptoms which include:

• Lower back pain
• Depression
• Headaches
• Lethargy
• Need to urinate frequently

How to Control IBS Symptoms

Although there is no cure per se, there are ways to control IBS symptoms.

Stress can play a role in producing IBS symptoms by leading to over activity of the nerves and/or gut.

Therefore, you may find that simple relaxation exercises help relieve your IBS symptoms. In the long term reducing the amount of stress in your life could prove to be an effective IBS treatment.

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Back Pain Facts?

There are several causes of back pain: mechanical causes, eg lumbar disc disorders; degenerative conditions, eg degenerative disc disease; inflammatory conditions, eg ankylosing spondylitis; infective causes, eg osteomyelitis; neoplastic causes, eg primary benign or malignant tumours; metabolic bone disease, eg osteoporosis; referred pain, eg from duodenal ulcer; psychogenic pain - originating in the mind rather than the body.

Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints and does not usually reflect any underlying disease. However, anyone with back pain that does not improve after a few days should first consult a Physician, as back pain can sometimes indicate significant and serious conditions which might not otherwise be diagnosed. Back pain is very rarely a sign of a serious medical problem. It is however important that the treatable medical causes are identified early on.

Back pain affects 50 to 80 percent of people in the U.S. at some point in their lives. In any given year, 10 percent of adults experience back pain or other symptoms, such as limited mobility or stiffness. Each year, Americans spend an estimated $24 billion on treatments for back pain - not including missed time from work nor the emotional costs of enduring pain and not being able to participate in daily activities. Imagine what it would be like to have problems working, golfing or enjoying playtime with children!

Back pain can be mildly uncomfortable, excruciating or anywhere in between. It can start slowly, sometimes a result of poor posture, or come on suddenly because of injury. If your question is not answered here, please contact one of our information specialists. Back pain can last for a few short days or can linger for weeks, months and even years. Arthritis is a common form of back pain. The earlier arthritis is diagnosed, the more steps can be taken to reduce disability in the future. Other factors that aggravate back pain include suffering from stress, not getting enough sleep, being overweight, having poor posture or not being physically fit.

Back pain should not be considered a normal part of aging; it is a chronic condition that calls for similar lifestyle changes as diseases like arthritis and diabetes do.