HEALTH : Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Many young adults with anxious temperaments suffer from frequent diarrhoea or sometimes constipation. All relevant tests done yield no results and the problem continues, in spite of treatment given. This condition is technically called, “Irritable bowel syndrome”. The name itself implies that those with an irritable temperament are more prone to develop irritable bowel syndrome. It is characterized by altered bowel habits, commonly diarrhoea, but sometimes constipation may occur. There may be associated abdominal cramp like pain and or sense of bloating of abdomen. With all these complaints, tests are negative for any known pathology. It is a common condition for patients seeking consultation for frequent abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Irritable bowel syndrome commonly occurs due to stress in people who remain very anxious. Due to the high adrenergic levels produced due to stress these affected persons develop increased motility of the gut and also stretching which causes the painful distension. There is frequency of passing stools with profuse mucous. At times, the person may also have nausea and or vomiting, thus mimicking acute gastroenteritis. Irritable bowel syndrome can occur in any individual but is more common in young adults before 30 years of age. Females are more affected than males, perhaps because they are more emotional. Apart from bowel disturbances, there may be associated symptoms of depression, hysteria or anxiety. These usually manifest as palpitations, restlessness, sweating, unexplained gloominess, and sleep disturbances. Individuals having long standing irritable bowel syndrome often suffer from nutritional disturbances also, due to the frequent diarrhoea. High level of anxiety can give rise to diseases associated with anxiety such as hypertension, diabetes, e.t.c. The chronic diarrhoea often is confused with chronic diseases of the large bowel like tuberculosis, cancer, H.I.V. infections, inflammatory bowel disease, e.t.c. Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion, i.e. it is established by excluding other organic or infectious causes for the frequent or prolonged diarrhoea. Thus these persons spend a lot of time and money in going around hospitals, seeking consultations and getting tested and treated. Sometimes the condition may be diagnosed very late or remain undiagnosed because the affected person in a bid to get alright, may keep on changing doctors and hospitals. Thus every new doctor will review his case as a fresh case and he undergoes the entire test for umpteenth time. What a futile waste of precious time for the individual? This person is also inadvertently given many anti-infective drugs for the presumed infectious origin of his diarrhoea. Thus he/she becomes susceptible to the side effects of the drugs. They also are at risk of developing oral ulceration due to deficiency of B.complex in the body. This develops because frequent use of antibiotics tends to deplete the useful bacteria of the bowels. In case of a person habituated to alcohol or other addicting substances, the person becomes sicker due to the harmful effect of these substances on the mind and body. Reassurance and good counselling are very important for the good and sustained recovery of the patient. He should be explained very patiently and sympathetically that there is really nothing wrong with his system and all he needs is just to relax. In no way should he get the feeling that he is being ignored or criticized, otherwise symptoms may augment. His doctor and family members should give him the confidence that they are all his well wishers and support him in every way. Thus in this way he will be more responsive to their counselling. Tranquilizers and sedatives can be used temporarily to calm the mind of the patient and cure sleep disturbances but long term use carries the risk of addiction and adverse effects.. Anti motility drugs (used to reduce diarrhoea by suppressing intestinal motility) or laxatives are also useful for a short time only but if used chronically damage the bowel movements permanently. The best treatment for individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome lies in learning to relax mind and body. Then only will they be rid of this condition. rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk