Seven Signs You Might Suffer From Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A User's Guide from Gastrodoxs
If you're a resident of Houston and you have ever wondered, "What does irritable bowel syndrome feel like?", or looked up signs of early onset of irritable bowel syndrome, you are in the right place. At Gastrodoxs, we understand how confusing digestive issues can be. Dr. Bharat Pothuri, our Houston gastroenterologist, provides expert tips to help you recognize common symptoms at an early stage and recognize when it's time to go for medical advice.
Table of Contents
- What Is IBS?
- Difference Between IBS and Other Full Stomachs
- Seven Signs You May Have IBS
- Abdominal Pain and Cramping
- Bloating and Gas
- Bowel Changes: Diarrhea, Constipation or Both
- Dry, Haphazard Evacuation
- Mucus in Stool
- Symptoms Caused By Food or Stress
- Excessive Sleepiness and Sleep Disturbances
- Stress and the Bowels: Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome A Result Of Stress?
- How to Track Your Symptoms
- When to Visit a Doctor in Houston
1. What Is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): a common condition of the large intestine. It may cause pain, altered bowel patterns, and altered stool. While IBS does not cause serious disease, it can decrease your quality of life if it is not controlled.
IBS is a functional disease, explains Dr. Bharat Pothuri. This means you can't see something wrong with your gut when you have a scope in there, but it overreacts to common triggers like food or stress.
For more on the causes and treatments of IBS, the National Institutes of Health has you covered.
2. Difference Between IBS and Other Full Stomachs
What Is the Difference between IBS and Other Ways Your Digestive System Can Fault Understanding the difference between IBS and other digestive anomalies can be helpful, whereby you are properly cared for. Here's an easy table to compare IBS to some common conditions:
| Feature | IBS | IBD (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis) | Celiac Disease | Lactose Intolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation | None | Yes (visible inflammation in GI tract) | Yes (autoimmune damage) | No |
| Blockage of the Bowel Stool | Rare | Common | Rare | No |
| Loss of weight | Uncommon | Often significant | Possible | Rare |
| Food Triggers | Other food (fatty, spicy, dairy) | Other food (high-fiber, dairy, caffeine) | Gluten | Dairy |
| Diagnosis | Symptom-based + rule out other causes | Endoscopy + biopsy | Blood tests + biopsy | Hydrogen breath test |
| Treatment | Diet, stress management, meds | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Gluten-free diet | Lactose-free diet |
This way, you save yourself the unnecessary effort to avoid wrong diagnose and find relief faster.
3. Seven Signs You May Have IBS
Below are the IBS symptoms you may not comply on, which should not be ignored.Talk with your doctor if you check more than three boxes for more than three months.
3.1 Abdominal Pain and Cramping
- Usually, pain goes away after you pass a stool.
- The pain may be mild to severe.
- Shot pain is often located in the low abdomen.
Dr. Pothuri says, "Cramp-like abdominal pain that comes and goes, especially when it is linked with bowel movements, can be an early sign of irritable bowel syndrome. Patients may also notice bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or changes in stool pattern. These symptoms should not be ignored when they continue or affect daily life. A proper evaluation helps confirm the cause and guide the right treatment plan".
3.2 Bloating and Gas
- Bloating, or a swollen, difficult-to-digest feeling in your tummy.
- Excess gas can cause frequent burping or passing of gas.
- Bloating may be intensified after eating.
If your pants feel tight at night, make a note of when the onset occurs and foods eaten.
3.3 Bowel Changes: Diarrhea, Constipation or Neither
- Diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D): This form of IBS results in loose and urgent emptying of the bowels.
- Constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C) is characterized by hard stools that occur less frequently.
- Mixed IBS (IBS-M) combines both.
It's pretty easy to infer your type by using a stool shape chart.
3.4 Dry, Haphazard Evacuation
- The sudden urge to go to the bathroom.
- Feeling you haven't emptied your bowels completely.
- This type of urgency can be stressful when at work or socializing with friends.
3.5 Mucus in Stool
- Chinese proverb: Clear or white phlegm on the stool.
- Mucus, is a symptom of a more sensitive gut.
- It can come along with cramping and bloating as well.
3.6 Symptoms Caused By Food or Stress
- Some foods, for example, dairy or deep-fried foods can trigger symptoms.
- Can stress make IBS symptoms worse?Yes stress can increase symptoms of IBS.
- Flare-ups may be caused by emotional ups and downs.
Stress causes the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract to tense. Many of our patients in Houston find it important to learn to manage it.
3.7 Excessive Sleepiness and Sleep Disturbances
- Waking at night to empty the bowels
- Studies have shown that when you don't sleep well enough, you will feel tired during the day.
- Fatigue can affect both the state of your gut and your mood.
If IBS is causing you trouble sleeping, it is likely that gut health and sleep are directly related.
4. Stress and the Bowels: Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome A Result Of Stress?
Yes. Stress can trigger the symptoms of IBS in a number of different ways:
- How to mess up your gut-brain connection
- Increasing or decreasing digestion
- sensitivity to pain in the gut
Stressed and Bent: Gas, Bloating and Leaky Gut - Stress Busters for IBS:
- Deep breathing exercise or meditating (5 minutes a day)
- Help sustain an active lifestyle, such as walking Bayou trails
- Keeping a text file on paper listing food and mood.
- Visiting a counsellor or going to a support group.
5. How to Track Your Symptoms
Writing in a journal will help you identify patterns. Include:
- Date and time of each symptom.
- Food and drink consumed.
- Stress level on a 1-10 scale.
- bowel habit characteristics (type, urgency, pain).
However, within the course of a few weeks, this should indicate what is setting off your IBS the most.
6. When To Visit a Doctor in Housto
If you are experiencing any of these, please make an appointment with your GI professional like Dr. Pothuri at Gastrodoxs:
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Severe or constant pain.
- Blood in your stool.
- fever or continuous vomiting.
If simple changes to diet and stress are not successful, AAAF strongly recommends seeking a diagnosis. Mayo Clinic has more on the signs of when medical intervention may be needed for IBS:
Conclusion
Being able to identify the "common symptoms of IBS that you shouldn't overlook" will save you months of discomfort. Remember, Dr. Bharat Pothuri of Gastrodoxs in Houston is here to get you started determining what does irritable bowel syndrome feel like and tackle the underlying causes for relief. Monitor your symptoms, watch for triggers and seek medical help if things get worse.
