Irritable bowel syndrome: symptoms, treatment

Are you suffering from abdominal pain, cramps and constant bowel movements? Unpleasant sensations in the intestinal area can ruin all plans, so we use various medications to relieve abdominal discomfort. But these measures only allow you to temporarily get rid of the symptoms of a serious disease, which return again and again. What if these symptoms have a single cause - irritable bowel syndrome? What this disease is, what its symptoms are and how to cure it, we will tell you in this article.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

This is a disorder of the intestines and discomfort in the abdomen during bowel movements. The syndrome itself is not a disease, but rather a set of symptoms that often occur for an unknown reason. Unfortunately, such a disorder can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life, forcing him to remain in an uncomfortable state: digestion is disrupted, metabolic processes in the body worsen, and the saturation of the human body with nutrients decreases.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a very common occurrence among people aged 25 to 40 years. Statistics show that at least once in their life, every third person has experienced the unpleasant symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Self-medication in this case can be very dangerous to health. The fact is that the syndrome is treated comprehensively and under the close attention of the attending physician. The consequence of self-medication can be intestinal obstruction and numerous chronic gastrointestinal diseases. With the first signs of irritable bowel syndrome, you should contact a therapist, who will refer you to a more specialized specialist - a gastroenterologist. The diagnosis is usually made only after excluding tumors and inflammatory changes in the intestines.

The intestines are where food is digested and nutrients are obtained by the body. When food enters the intestines, it moves along the intestines. This process of advancement is achieved through the work of smooth muscle cells within the intestinal walls. The cells alternately contract and relax. But when IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) appears, cell function is disrupted. Food begins to pass through the intestines either too quickly or too slowly. The result is discomfort and constipation or diarrhea.

Causes of lower back pain

Back pain is a symptom. The most common causes of lower back pain are diseases (injuries) of muscles, bones, and intervertebral discs. Sometimes lower back pain can be caused by diseases of the abdominal organs, pelvis and chest. Such pain is called referred pain. Diseases of the abdominal cavity (for example, appendicitis), aortic aneurysm, kidney diseases (urolithiasis, kidney infection, bladder infections), infections of the pelvic organs, ovaries - all of these diseases can manifest themselves as lower back pain . Even a normal pregnancy can lead to lower back pain due to sprained ligaments in the pelvic area, muscle spasms due to stress, and nerve irritation.

Most often, lower back pain is associated with the following diseases:

Compression of a nerve root, which causes symptoms of sciatica and is most often caused by a herniated disc. As a rule, when a nerve root is compressed, the pain is acute, has irradiation and sensory disturbances in the area of innervation of the nerve root. A herniated disc occurs primarily as a result of disc degeneration. The gelatinous part of the disc protrudes from the central cavity and puts pressure on the nerve roots. Degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs begin at the age of 30 years and older. But the mere presence of a hernia does not always lead to an impact on the nerve structures.
Spondylosis - degenerative changes occur in the vertebrae themselves, bone growths (osteophytes) occur, which can affect nearby nerves, leading to pain.
Spinal canal stenosis can occur due to degenerative changes in the spine (spondylosis and osteochondrosis). A patient with spinal stenosis in the lumbar region may experience lower back pain radiating to both legs. Lower back pain may occur as a result of standing or walking.
Cauda equina syndrome. This is a condition requiring emergency medical attention. Cauda equina syndrome occurs as a result of compression of the elements of the cauda equina (the terminal part of the spinal cord). A patient with cauda equina syndrome may experience pain and impaired bowel and bladder function (incontinence and bladder atony). This syndrome requires emergency surgery.
Pain syndromes such as myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia. Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by pain and tenderness in certain points (trigger points), decreased range of muscle movement in painful areas. The pain syndrome decreases when the muscles located in the painful areas are relaxed. With fibromyalgia, pain and tenderness are widespread throughout the body. Fibromyalgia is not characterized by tightness and pain in the muscles.
Bone infections (osteomyelitis) of the spine are extremely rarely the cause of the disease.
Non-infectious inflammatory diseases of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis) can cause stiffness and pain in the spine (including the lower back), which is especially worse in the morning.
Tumors, most often cancer metastases, can be a source of discomfort in the lower back.
Inflammation of the nerves and, accordingly, pain manifestations (in the chest or in the lumbar region) can be caused by damage to the nerves themselves (for example, with shingles)
Given the variety of causes of symptoms such as acute or subacute lower back pain, it is very important to fully examine the patient and perform all necessary diagnostic procedures.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

nausea and gag reflex;
flatulence with copious release of gases;
abdominal pain or cramps;
constant bloating;
stool disorders - constipation or diarrhea;
pain in the lower abdomen;
sleep disturbance;
increased heart rate;
increased fatigue;
long digestion of food;
the appearance of mucus in the stool;
false urge to defecate;
loss of appetite.

Also, the disease is often accompanied by symptoms that, at first glance, are not characteristic of intestinal pathologies: headaches, discomfort in the spine and muscles, weight loss and abdominal swelling. All these symptoms are not constant, they can disappear and reappear over time. Unpleasant sensations most often appear after each meal, and then become less pronounced.

When to see a doctor

If you have pain of any intensity or origin, you should definitely consult a doctor. But there are cases when medical assistance must be provided immediately. Urgent contact with a specialist is necessary in cases where constipation radiates to the lower back and/or lower abdomen and the following symptoms are observed:

high body temperature;
bloody discharge from the rectum, urethra;
vomit;
severe dizziness.

Any signs atypical for constipation require immediate diagnosis.

Reasons for the development of the pathological phenomenon

Nutrition. Eating fried, salty, sweet and fatty foods, as well as alcohol-containing drinks, has a negative effect on digestion. In addition, modern people constantly snack on the run. Which also negatively affects intestinal function.
Hormonal disbalance. More often, this reason is typical for women during periods of life such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and the menstrual cycle. As for the menstrual cycle, during this period the amount of chemicals changes, and the problem begins to manifest itself more clearly.
Impaired intestinal motility. If motor skills work in an accelerated mode, this leads to stomach upset and diarrhea. On the contrary, slow bowel movements can cause constipation. As a result, pain leads to a sharp contraction of muscles.
Emotional stress: stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue.
Past diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Infections that cause gastrointestinal diseases can subsequently affect the functioning of the entire intestine.

Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

If you have all the symptoms of the disease listed above, consult a physician. He will conduct an initial examination and refer you to a gastroenterologist. The purpose of primary diagnosis is to exclude the presence of other life-threatening diseases: tumors, inflammatory processes, growths, infectious diseases.

When visiting a doctor, you need to provide a complete medical history, report the presence and frequency of symptoms, and talk about the presence of chronic diseases. After examination and palpation (feeling), the specialist will refer you for laboratory tests, including:

General blood analysis. The analysis allows you to determine whether an inflammatory process is present in the body, as well as to determine possible anemia.
General urine analysis. Determines the presence or absence of blood and parasites in the patient’s body, which allows us to talk about the development of a number of intestinal diseases other than irritable bowel syndrome.
Blood test for celiac disease. A specific blood test that allows you to identify a disease of the digestive system (celiac disease), in which the intestines cease to properly digest incoming food, which is accompanied by diarrhea.
Colonoscopy. This is an examination of the colon from the inside using a special device (colonoscope).
Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis and abdomen. This is a non-invasive examination method that allows you to study the structure and condition of the organs and tissue of the pelvis in men and women using magnetic waves.

After all the studies have been carried out and all other intestinal diseases have been excluded, the doctor begins treatment and prescribes complex therapy, based on the patient’s medical history.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Therapy for IBS should be carried out comprehensively in several stages. The treatment regimen depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the degree and time of the pathology. Most often, drug therapy is prescribed, which is supplemented by a special diet. In the absence of comprehensive treatment, symptoms will reappear from time to time.

The medications that the doctor prescribes for the treatment of IBS not only eliminate painful symptoms, but also improve the condition of the digestive system, and also prevent relapses and complications. When treating diarrhea syndrome, medications with antimicrobial properties are prescribed. They relieve irritation of intestinal tissues, stop excess flatulence and restore normal intestinal function.

When treating IBS with constipation, the use of natural medicines is indicated that eliminate difficulties with defecation, have a gentle effect on inflamed intestinal tissue and free it from feces. May be in the form of chewable tablets or rectal suppositories.

If the appearance of IBS is associated with neurological disorders, antidepressants are prescribed - they normalize the functioning of the nervous system and improve the psycho-emotional state.

To relieve pain, painkillers and antispasmodics are used - they relax muscle fibers and tissues that are in hypertonicity.

Diet for irritable bowel syndrome

The diet for IBS depends on what symptoms accompany the pathology. If you experience frequent constipation, you should exclude dry, salty foods from your diet. For diarrhea, avoid liquid foods, vegetables, and fruits.

If you suffer from flatulence, you should limit dairy products, nuts, and beans. If there is severe pain in the intestines, fatty, salty, and heavy foods are not allowed.

At the Medunion clinic you can undergo a full examination and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. We employ practicing doctors with over 10 years of experience. In the diagnostic room you can take all tests and undergo hardware examination in a comfortable environment. For our clients there is a special offer “doctor at home”. If you are unable to visit our medical center yourself, a doctor will come to you and conduct an examination at home.

Take care of your health and make an appointment with a multidisciplinary medical center directly on our website.

Features of treatment: laxatives

Relief from constipation-related pain in the lower abdomen and lower back is achieved by eliminating their main cause. Laxatives can help relieve constipation. You need to choose them responsibly: avoid addictive drugs. These include senna-based laxatives.

Your doctor will help you choose the right drug. He will take into account the general state of health, the cause of constipation, age and other characteristics of the patient. Some remedies have strict contraindications, so it is better not to resort to self-medication.

Based on their mechanism of action, there are several groups of laxatives:

agents that chemically irritate the receptors of the intestinal mucosa;
drugs that cause mechanical irritation of intestinal receptors;
medications that soften stool and facilitate its passage through the intestines.

Based on their effectiveness, they are divided into laxatives, medium-strength and drastic drugs. The first option in many cases is optimal, since it stimulates bowel movements with feces that are close in consistency to normal.

You need to be especially careful with laxatives: they cause rapid intestinal peristalsis and multiple loose stools. This can lead to electrolyte disturbances, dehydration, protein loss, and other serious complications.

Herbal laxatives are considered the best option in cases where long-term treatment of constipation is required. One of the effective herbal remedies is the British drug “Fitomucil Norm”. It does not contain senna, so it is not addictive. The effect of the drug is based on the shell of the seeds of the plantain Psyllium and the pulp of the fruit of the domestic plum: natural components contribute to the softening and natural, gentle removal of feces.

Plant fibers turn into a mucous gel, which promotes gentle emptying. The product restores normal stool predictably and does not cause pain or cramps.

Herbal laxatives based on plums - a method of combating constipation