Irritable bo-wel syndrome is a chronic functional disorder of the intestines -which causes abdominal pain, often accompanied by cramping, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. It is also referred to as spastic colon or mucous colitis. Irritable bo-wel syndrome is more commonly kno-wn by its abbreviated term IBS.

There is three forms of IBS depending on the symptoms diarrheapredominant (IBSD), constipationpredominant (IBSC) and IBS -with alternating stool pattern (IBSA). Clinical investigations is going on a ne-w IBS subtype, postinfectious IBS (IBSPI).

Symptoms of IBS

IBS symptoms include:

Abdominal pain
Discomfort associated -with changes in bo-wel habits
Fe-wer than three bo-wel movements a -week
More than three bo-wel movements a day
Hard or lumpy stools
Loose or -watery stools
Straining during a bo-wel movement
Urgency (having to rush to have a bo-wel movement)
Feeling of incomplete bo-wel movement
Passing mucus (-white material) during a bo-wel movement
Abdominal fullness, bloating, or s-welling
Chronic pelvic pain
Mental stress
Fibromyalgia and various mental disorders
Researchers believe that there is neurological and psychological disorders associated -with IBS.

Causes of Irritable Bo-wel Syndrome

The exact causes of irritable bo-wel syndrome is unkno-wn, but there is factors that may aggravate the trouble. Dietary factors and stress dont exactly cause IBS, but they can aggravate it. Various studies and researches have noted an IBS connection to diet. Physicians feel that the correct diet can provide IBS relief.

Common IBS diet advice includes:

Eat soluble fiber foods and supplements.
Substitute dairy products for soy or rice products.
Be cisful -with fresh fruits and vegetables that is high in insoluble fiber.
Eat small amounts in regular intervals to lessen the symptoms of IBS.
Avoid eating red meat, oily or fatty (and fried) products.
Avoid taking dairy products (especially -when lactose intolerance is suspected).
Avoid solid chocolate, coffee (regular and decaffeinated), alcohol, carbonated beverages and artificial s-weeteners.

IBS Treatment

IBS treatment includes dietary advice and medication. Developing good dietary habits may be the best treatment for irritable bo-wel syndrome.

Medications can provide instant IBS relief. These may include stool softeners and laxatives in constipationpredominant, and antidiarrheal (loperamide) in diarrheapredominant IBS. The lo-w dosage of tricyclic and SSRI antidepressants has sho-wn to be the most -widely prescribed medications for helping to relieve symptoms of visceral sensitivity (pain) and diarrhea or constipation respectively. other medications include:

Alosetron: Alosetron is a selective 5HT3 antagonist for IBSD. It is only available for -women in the United States under a restricted access program, due to severe risks of side effects if taken mistakenly by IBSA or IBSC sufferers.
Cilansetron: Cilansetron is also a selective 5HT3 antagonist that is undergoing further clinical studies in Europe for IBSD sufferers.
Tegaserod: Tegaserod is a selective 5HT4 antagonist for IBSC. It has sho-wn to have an excellent safety profile for relieving IBS constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation.