Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Alternate Names : IBS, Spastic Colon
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a condition characterized by
abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, and other changes in the bowels.
What is going on in the body?
Normally when a person eats, the
stimulation of the food causes the muscles of the colon to contract. This
contraction then pushes the stool toward the rectum to the outside of the
body. IBS seems to cause the colon to be more sensitive to stimulation.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
It is not clear what causes IBS. Emotional stress
and diet, especially one high in calories and
fat,
seem to be some of the
factors that increase the symptoms associated with IBS. Other factors
include:
hormonal changes, especially in females during menstruation
conditions affecting the nerves that control digestion
changes in physical activity level
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