Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

Functional bowel disorder

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, i.e., diarrhea, constipation, or both.

Almost all patients have mild symptoms such as:

1. Abdominal pain
2. Feeling of fullness
3. Gases
4. Distension and changes in bowel habits

However, sometimes the symptoms can be more severe and consist of pain so intense that it prevents the person from performing any daily tasks.

Despite these clear symptoms, 2 out of 5 people in our country do not know what this syndrome is and that they suffer from it.

Since analytical, endoscopic, and radiological studies are normal in these patients, the diagnosis is made based on clinical criteria. In this regard, it is essential to ask the patient a series of questions, as an accurate medical history accounts for more than 80 percent of the diagnosis.

The usual approach is to ask the patient to undergo tests and more tests to rule out other diseases, when it is suspected with certainty that it is irritable bowel syndrome. In cases where there is diarrhea, tests must be done to rule out other conditions such as lactose malabsorption, inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease.

At Biosalud, we consider a stool analysis or Koprocheck® to be essential for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, as this disease coincides with changes in stool consistency and bowel movement frequency.

The analysis involves collecting three samples on three consecutive days to quantify the intestinal flora, the presence of candidiasis, and various digestion and absorption parameters, as well as quantifying secretory IgA and markers of intestinal health (occult blood, red blood cells, pH).

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of the digestive tract that is the second leading cause of work absenteeism after the common cold. Although there are mechanisms and therapies to alleviate the symptoms, there is currently no cure.

Yes, colon hydrotherapy is highly recommended to thoroughly cleanse the intestine.

Causes of irritable bowel syndrome

This is a disease for which research has not yet reached any clear conclusions.

The causes of this syndrome are also unclear.

• One theory suggests that it is caused by abnormal contractions in the colon, which can cause cramps, requiring treatment with fiber and antispasmodics. However, these abnormal contractions do not explain all cases, and it is not known whether the contractions are the cause or rather a symptom.
• Other times, irritable bowel syndrome occurs after salmonella or campylobacter, that is, after a severe gastrointestinal infection, although it is unknown how the infection triggers the syndrome.
• Anxiety and depression often accompany this disease, as it is well known that emotional states manifest themselves in the gut. There are even studies that indicate that the syndrome is more common in people who have a history of sexual, physical, or verbal abuse.
• Food intolerances or food sensitivities to certain foods have also been identified as a cause of irritable bowel syndrome. It is known that certain foods, such as dairy products, broccoli, or cauliflower, cause gas in the intestine, which can lead to cramps. In this regard, it is a good idea to follow a diet that eliminates these intolerant foods, but always under the guidance of a medical specialist or nutritionist, as otherwise, nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition may occur.
• Finally, another theory is that the syndrome is caused by an increase in visceral sensitivity to normal sensations. In some way, normal bowel movements are perceived as painful and excessive by the affected person.

General lack of awareness among the population

A recent European study conducted in nine countries has shown that people do not have the necessary information about this syndrome. The study, called the Taboo Study: Women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, found that Spain ranks fifth in terms of information about the condition, behind countries such as Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The patient may alternate between periods of diarrhea and constipation, and the pain, as we have said, can sometimes be incapacitating. So it significantly affects the quality of life of the person suffering from it, even though it is not life-threatening and does not increase the risk of cancer.

As general advice, specialists recommend following a healthy diet that is low in fat and includes plenty of fluids, doing physical exercise that is appropriate for each individual, and engaging in social relationships and relaxing activities that bring us satisfaction.