CARE ASSISTANT
ELIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Bloating, abdominal cramps and alternating diarrhoea and constipation.
Irritable bowel syndrome comes in cycles. The bowel has no lesion, but it is hypersensitive; diet, stress management and bowel retraining help restore balance.
More Informations
A sensitive bowel, without lesion, but with real symptoms.
Definition
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder: abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation or alternating) without any visible abnormality of the bowel.
Causes
Hypersensitivity of the bowel nerves, often worsened by stress, a previous gut infection or an imbalance of the microbiome.
Diagnosis
- Clinical diagnosis using the Rome criteria (recurrent pain linked to stools).
- Faecal calprotectin and coeliac screening to rule out other diseases.
Treatments
Diet (a low-FODMAP diet guided by a dietitian), stress management, physical activity and, if needed, antispasmodics or low doses of certain medicines help reduce symptoms. Gut-directed hypnotherapy has shown its value.
Irritable bowel syndrome can cause urges that are hard to hold. Flexi absorbent underwear, discreet under clothes, lets you carry on with your day without fearing the unexpected.
Educational content written for families and caregivers. It does not replace a consultation: a doctor, a continence nurse or a physiotherapist makes the diagnosis and chooses the treatment.