Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Published at 29 October 2024

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon), affecting approximately 10-15% of people around the world, and causes a group of disturbing symptoms such as: abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea or constipation, and bloating. Its symptoms are often intermittent in the form of attacks. (1) Find out more about irritable bowel syndrome symptoms!

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and their severity vary between individuals. Symptoms can appear continuously, or are often intermittent in the form of attacks; The affected person suffers from symptoms on some days, while the symptoms disappear completely on other days. (1)

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include:

Common symptoms

Common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are: (2)

Abdominal pain and cramps: Some describe them as acute or chronic. Their intensity increases after eating or eating certain foods, while their intensity decreases after bowel movements.
Changes in bowel movement: This includes suffering from constipation or diarrhea, or bouts varying between the two conditions.

(Constipation is defined as the passage of difficult stools, and the sufferer’s feeling of inability to completely empty the stomach along with a feeling of straining when defecating. As for diarrhea, it is the frequent passage of loose, watery stools.)

Abdominal bloating and gases that makes the patient feel uncomfortable.

Other symptoms

Those affected may experience other symptoms, such as: (3)
nausea.
General fatigue and exhaustion.
Loss of energy.
Back ache.
Stool contains mucus.
Problems urinating: Such as a frequent need to urinate, a sudden need to urinate, or a feeling that the bladder has not been completely emptied.
urinary incontinence: Due to inability to control the bladder.

Factors that aggravate irritable bowel syndrome

Some factors increase the severity of irritable bowel syndrome, such as: (4)(5)

Eating specific types of foods, such as:

· Spicy and fatty foods.

· Foods that contain gluten, such as breakfast cereals, whole grains, and pasta.

· Dairy and cheese products.

· Coffee, tea and any source of caffeine.

· Fruit juices in large quantities.

· Soft drinks.

· Drinks and foods that contain artificial sweeteners.

· Some fruits, such as: apples, peaches, cranberries, mangos, and nectarines.

Stress and psychological pressures from work, study, financial problems, or family problems.

Menstrual cycle in females.

· Some medications, such as antibiotics and cough medicines.

· Eat a lot of gum.

· Lack of physical activity.

· Eating quickly, while driving or watching TV.

When should you see your doctor?

See a doctor if you exhibit any of these symptoms, which may indicate a troubling problem and not just irritable bowel syndrome: (6)(2)

· Bowel movement changes persist for more than 6 weeks, especially if you are over 50 years old.

· Unexplained weight loss.

· Having diarrhea at night.

· Note bleeding from the rectum.

· Unexplained vomiting.

· Anemia.

· Abdominal pain does not become less severe during bowel movements.

· Swelling or mass in the stomach or rectum.

How to relieve irritable bowel syndrome?

Here are some tips that help relieve irritable bowel syndrome: (3)

Avoid foods that trigger your colon symptoms.
Relieve anxiety and stress.
Drink enough water and fluids during the day.
Try using probiotics (good bacteria).
Avoid foods that are difficult to digest such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and dried fruits.
Cook your food at home with fresh vegetables, meat and poultry.
Exercise regularly.
Eat slowly and make sure to chew well.
Do not drink more than 3 cups of coffee and tea during the day.
Avoid soft drinks as much as possible.
Stick to a consistent diet routine and try to eat at specific times.
Limit foods containing artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol.
Determine the amount of fiber you eat during the day based on your symptoms; Meaning that if you suffer from diarrhea, you should reduce foods rich in fiber, while if you suffer from constipation, you should increase the amount of fiber dissolved in water.

Have you recently noticed changes in your bowel movement or persistent pain and cramps in your abdomen that increase after eating a certain food? Do not hesitate to visit the Gastroenterology department at Al-Ahli Hospital to find out the cause of these symptoms and obtain appropriate medical care.