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  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a functional bowel disorder in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel habit. Sensations of discomfort (bloating), distension, and disordered defecation are commonly associated features. Its difficult to diagnose and manage. It affects about 10-12% of the population globally. 
Submitted by Sanjog bhagat on 9 August 2016

The symptoms vary between individuals and some people have more severe symptoms than others. The symptoms tend to come and go – they may last for a few days or for a few months, often during times of stress or after eating certain foods.

Symptoms may include:

  • Diarrhoea (sudden and explosive episodes)
  • Constipation
  • Alternating episodes of diarrhoea and constipation
  • Stools appearing harder or very loose  
  • Abdominal pain usually occurs in the lower half of the abdomen; pain is aggravated by meals and relieved by having a bowel movement
  • Often, the person has frequent bowel movements, when they have pain and the stools are looser.

Depending on the symptoms, IBS can be subtyped or subclassified. Read about the Types of IBS

Stories

  • A person in a shirt and trouser holding his jacket with one hand and his stomach with another
    आईबीएस मेरी समस्या है और मुझे इससे जूझना है
    एजीएस इस बात का एक अच्छा उदाहरण हैं कि किसी को स्वास्थ्य की स्थिति से अभिभूत नहीं होना चाहिए। वे अपनी समस्या से घबराए नहीं, इसके बजाय, उन्होंने इसके लिए खाद्य पदार्थों के अनेक संयोजनों को आजमाया ताकी वे जान पाएं कि उनके शरीर के लिए क्या अच्छा है। उन्होंने स्थिति को खुद संभाला और वे इस विषय में विशेषज्ञ बन गए - अब वे दूसरों को बता सकते हैं कि वे क्या कर सकते हैं। कृपया हमें अपनी स्थिति के बारे में थोड़ा बताएं: दिन में कभी भी पेट में 5 मिनट से लेकर एक घंटे या अधिक तक बिना किसी स्पष्ट कारण के…
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    Learning To Live With The Flares And Ebbs Of Crohn's Disease
    Madhura Balasubramaniam, 27 from Chennai tried everything to manage Crohn’s disease, getting past the grossness of it. She considers the PEG tube as the best gift she has received and takes life one day at a time.   I am Madhura, a 27-year-old from India. I have a Master's degree in Development Studies and I am currently a PhD student and researcher learning more about the Tibetan exile community in India and India’s Himalayan borderlands. Please tell us a bit about your condition -…
  • A family with three generations sitting around a dining table
    बुजुर्गों के लिए भोजन में संशोधन
    जब आपके प्रियजनों की उम्र बढ़ती है, तो उनके लिए सही आहार का प्रबंध करना अधिक ज़रूरी हो जाता है, क्योंकि अधिकाँश केस में अनुचित भोजन लेना अधिक तनाव और परेशानी का कारण बनता है। इस लेख में डॉ। भुवनेश्वरी अपने माता-पिता की प्राथमिक देखभालकर्ता होने के अनुभवों के आधार पर कुछ सरल सुझाव दे रही हैं। बुजुर्गों के आहार पर ध्यान देना बहुत जरूरी है क्योंकि आहार के पैटर्न को बदलने से कुछ ऐसी सामान्य समस्याओं में सुधार हो सकता है जो कई बुजुर्गों में पायी जाती हैं. हमें इस पहलू पर अपनी भारतीय सन्दर्भ (जैसे कि…
  • The Gut-Brain Axis: How Mental Health Affects Digestive Disorders
    There is increased evidence and understanding that chronic digestive disorders like IBS, IBD and gastrophageal reflux cannot be separated from the psychological wellbeing of a person. In light of this, we spoke to Dr. Naresh Bhat, a pioneering gastroentrologist and Dr. Girish Chandra, a Psychiatrist.    Dr. Naresh Bhat, Chief of Gastroentrology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru There are several disorders which are referred as Gut Brain Axis or Functional GI disorders. They can affect…
  • Pic showing a woman holding her stomach with the text 10 tips to manage bloating
    Make Simple Changes to Avoid Bloating of the Stomach
    Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju discusses common causes which lead to bloating of the stomach and also simple ways to avoid the discomfort. It is what and how you eat matters, always. Overloading causes bloating and abdominal pain. When the body struggles to break down the food after meals, discomfort creeps in. The bacteria in the intestine will tend to feed on the sugar in the food you take in, to multiply themselves. If the sugar in the food is much higher or the food remains undigested for…
  • Stock pic of a young woman in a white tanktop behind a table of fruits and vegetables and holding up a glass of water
    A Healthy Gut for a Happy State of Mind
    By maintaining a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract, you can ward off a host of uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, flatulence and constipation and conditions like bowel cancer, Depression and IBS. Tips from Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. The importance of gut health Gut health is important. The health of the body starts with the gut to help reduce the risk of conditions like bowel cancer, constipation, etc. The food you consume is broken down to fats, proteins, and simple carbohydrates…
  • Hypnosis for Pain Relief and Anxiety Management
    Worldwide, medical hypnosis is being increasingly accepted to ease acute and chronic pain arising from burns, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis and reduction of anxiety associated with surgery. What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a state of increased suggestibility with constriction of peripheral awareness and increased focal concentration on task at hand. Heightened suggestibility is an essential characteristic in hypnosis. Hypnosis is like a meditative technique that encourages inner search and the…
  • Diet Modifications for the Elderly
    When your loved ones age, it becomes vital to address the right diet for them, because more often than not, improper food intake causes a lot of stress and discomfort. Dr Bhuvaneswari puts together some simple tips from her experiences as a primary caregiver for her parents. Changing the diet patterns for the elderly in the Indian context needs a proper looking into as it addresses a few common problems that the elderly tend to face : 1.  Loss of teeth:  This naturally takes away the…
  • Overview of Digestive Disorders and Gastrointestinal Diseases
    Endoscopy guru and leading gastroenterologist Dr Vipulroy Rathod’s comprehensive interview on gastrointestinal diseases and cancers makes for an enlightening and interesting read. What is Gastroenterology? Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this specialty. Physicians practicing in this field are called…
  • IBS is my problem and I have to deal with it
    AGS is the best example how one should not be browbeaten by the malfunctioning of one’s body. He did not lose his nerve over it; instead, he tried out combinations which suited his body best. He took charge and became an expert - he could now tell others what they may do.  Please tell us a bit about your condition: Inexplicable and uncomfortable/heavy feeling in the stomach lasting from 5 minutes to an hour or so - anytime during the day. Generally goes off on its own. Bloating of the…