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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the intestines which usually consists of diarrhea, constipation, intestinal gas, bloating, cramping and abdominal pain. The most common names for irritable bowel syndrome are known as bowel disease, spastic colon and mucous colitis.

Doctors really don’t know what causes IBS, but some suspect that IBS may be stress related. When you have IBS the nerves and muscles in the bowel seem to be extra sensitive. The muscles may contract to much when you eat causing pain. These contractions may cause diarrhea while eating or shortly after.

Spastic colon specifically refers to the muscles in the small and large intestines and how they can contract uncontrollably, leading to cramps and diarrhea or constipation. Imagine your hand opening and closing quickly and without your control, and you have an idea of how spastic colon works. The condition keeps the intestine and the bowels from properly working, leaving the sufferer feeling bloated, weak and otherwise miserable.

Although the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not known, stress and poor diet seem to be the aggravating factors. Irritable bowel syndrome is not a precursor to more serious problems like bowel cancer and doesn’t damage the lining of the colon. Hemorrhoids can form in untreated and long time suffers.

The role of diet is very important in the cause and relief of irritable bowel syndrome. Certain foods such as milk can cause diarrhea while others like fruit and soda can cause bloating and abdominal cramping.

IBS is not generally considered to be a life threatening disease and is one that can be treated quite successfully when properly diagnosed. It has been shown when treatments are specifically tailored to the specific form of IBS the IBS symptoms can normally be resolved. A specific diagnosis of the disease, therefore, is the most important factor in helping a patient cope with IBS and its symptoms.

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