Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a colon disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or recurrent constipation. Recognizing the causes and how to properly treat IBS can help reduce the frequency torecurrence.
Irritable bowel syndrome It can happen to anyone, 10-20% of adults are thought to have experienced this disease. The appearance of IBS symptoms is associated with various factors, such as intestinal innervation disorders, consumption of certain foods or drinks, to the influence of hormones.
IBS symptoms are not the same for everyone. Some have diarrhea, constipation, or both. Symptoms can also appear infrequently, can also be very frequent to interfere with daily activities.
Risk Factor Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Reason iirritable bowel syndrome cannot be ascertained. Even so, there are several things that are known to trigger IBS symptoms, namely:
1. Foods that contain gluten
Some IBS patients experience improvement in symptoms and have fewer relapses after following a gluten-free diet.
Some people just can't digest gluten properly. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Examples of foods that contain gluten are cereals, pasta, and processed food products.
2. Food with hard to digest carbohydrates
This group of hard-to-digest carbohydrates is called FODMAPs. Usually found in apples, cherries, mangoes, pears, watermelon, asparagus, cabbage, cabbage, beans, onions, mushrooms, as well as milk and dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, or ice cream. In addition, honey and sweets with artificial sweeteners xylitol or mannitol also includes foods that contain these carbohydrates.
3. Certain drinks
Certain types of drinks can affect bowel movements. In IBS patients, this can trigger a recurrence of symptoms. Drinks that often trigger IBS relapse are drinks that contain caffeine, alcohol, or soda.
4. Gastrointestinal infections
Viral or bacterial infections in the digestive tract, such as in gastroenteritis, can cause IBS symptoms. This is thought to be because gastrointestinal infections affect bowel movements and the balance of the number of bacteria in them.
5. Psychological problems
Many people with IBS experience more frequent relapses with worse symptoms when under stress. Depression, disorder somatoform, and anxiety can also cause IBS symptoms to worsen or recur frequently.
This is thought to be because mental disorders can affect the performance of the brain and nerves in the gastrointestinal tract, making them more sensitive.
6. Hormonal changes
IBS symptoms are more common in women, especially before or during menstruation. This disease is thought to be related to the influence of the hormone estrogen.
How to overcome Irritable Bowel Syndrome
To relieve symptoms and prevent a recurrence of IBS, there are several things you can do, namely:
MenghAvoid foods that trigger
Avoid foods that trigger IBS symptoms, especially foods that contain gluten and FODMAP carbohydrates. Because foods that trigger IBS symptoms can be different for each person, it is recommended that you find out what foods can trigger your IBS symptoms.
Mengfibrous food consumption
There are two types of fiber, namely soluble and insoluble fiber. The type of fiber that is good for reducing IBS symptoms is water-soluble fiber. An example of a source of soluble fiber is oats. If you are familiar with artichokes, try consuming this vegetable. Several studies support the evidence that artichokes can help relieve IBS symptoms, such as abdominal pain and cramps.
But be careful, consuming too much fiber can worsen heartburn and bloating. Therefore, it is advisable to increase the amount of fiber in the diet little by little gradually until the intestines get used to it.
Eat regularly
Avoid skipping meals. Try to always eat at the same time every day to help smooth bowel movements.
Exercise regularly
Exercise can help reduce stress and stimulate bowel movements. According to research, IBS patients who regularly exercise are less likely to experience recurrence of symptoms.
Mengreduce stress
Stress has been shown to cause IBS symptoms to recur frequently. So, it is important to always minimize stress. You can do this by practicing relaxation, yoga, or meditation, and getting enough sleep.
Mengconsumption of probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that help protect the gut from bad bacteria. Probiotics can be found in supplement form. Several studies have shown that probiotics can relieve abdominal pain and bloating in IBS patients.
Consuming drug
If the symptoms of IBS are very bothersome or come back frequently, then you need to treat it with medication. Doctors can give antidiarrheal drugs, laxatives, painkillers, to antidepressants and additional supplements to relieve symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive disorder whose cause is unknown, so its treatment is difficult to determine. However, by avoiding trigger foods, maintaining fiber intake, and changing a healthier lifestyle, the frequency of IBS recurrence can be reduced.
If the symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation feel worse than usual or are accompanied by bloody stools, consult a doctor immediately to determine the cause and get treatment.
Written by:
dr. Irene Cindy Sunur
