Women's Health |
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Experts Looking For Answers To Bowel DiseaseApril Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness MonthIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease that remains a quiet mystery despite the fact that physicians believe it affects an estimated 30 million people in the US, nearly 65 percent of whom are women. Essentially, IBS is an intestinal disorder that causes chronic constipation or diarrhea with gas, bloating, and debilitating stomach cramps. It has not been shown to lead to serious, organic diseases, nor has a link been established between IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Experts report that fewer than 50 percent of sufferers ever seek advice from a physician. On average, it takes more than three years to have IBS properly diagnosed, and patients will see up to three physicians before the correct diagnosis takes place, according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Trying To Understand Cause of IBSAnd among health professionals, there is still no clear consensus on what causes the disorder, although a couple of successful medications have aided in its treatment. That is why the foundation has designated April as Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month, to promote discussion of the disease's diagnosis and treatment as well as the way it affects people's lives. "IBS is part of a spectrum of conditions known as functional bowel disorders and is particularly common in women. As a gastroenterologist who works mostly with women, IBS is one of the most common conditions that I evaluate and treat", says Dr. Sheila Crowe, of the Women's Digestive Health Center at the UVa Health System. People afflicted with IBS suffer from spasms in the colon, a 6-foot-long tube that connects the lower intestines to the rectum. This is the place where the waste matter from digestion forms into stool, and movements of the colon push the waste along until it's ready to exit the body. The spasms are caused by a disturbance in the interaction between the gut, the brain, and the autonomic nervous system that regulates movement of the colon and bowels. The condition does not cause permanent harm to the intestines, and will not result in intestinal bleeding or a life-threatening disease such as cancer. No one is sure what causes the syndrome. Physicians initially thought it was triggered by emotional upset, an extreme form of "nervous stomach." They no longer believe that to be the case, although stress has been found to exacerbate or unleash certain IBS symptoms. Researchers have focused on diet, genetics, or infection as the reason behind IBS. "Many patients are told that IBS is caused by stress but it is not that simple. Understanding all the triggers of symptoms including dietary factors is helpful in managing a case of IBS." Dr. Crowe says. That line of research is focusing on whether the inflammation that accompanies infection affects the way the nerves that work the gut do their job, or whether a low-grade inflammation remains in the gut following the infection. Some Treatments Available, More NeededBecause so little is known about IBS, and because its symptoms are varied and unpredictable, physicians and patients struggle to find successful treatments. "It is important for patients with suspected IBS to seek medical attention to correctly diagnose the condition, exclude other disorders that can present in a similar way, and get appropriate treatment". observes Dr. Crowe. Some people alter their diet to help relieve symptoms, while others use over-the-counter medications to combat constipation, diarrhea, and gas. Psychological counseling, relaxation training, and hypnosis also have proven effective as non-medicinal treatments. Over the last few years, a couple of broad-spectrum medications have been approved for use in treating irritable bowel syndrome as a whole. Tegaserod, also known by the trade name ZelnormTM, is approved for use by women with IBS accompanied by constipation. Alosetron, on the market under the name LotronexTM, is used to treat women with IBS with diarrhea, experts say. LotronexTM was taken off the market in November 2000, 10 months after the US Food and Drug Administration approved its use, because it was found to cause severe constipation that required surgery. Several deaths were reported. However, the drug had proven so successful in treating severe cases that thousands of patients petitioned the FDA to place it back on the market. The agency relented in June 2002, but it is only available through physicians and only for people with severe diarrhea who have not responded to other treatments. Crowe reinforces that "IBS is a complex disorder -- one in which the digestive system is overly sensitive. As a result, ordinary events (stress, travel , reactions to food or medications) can initiate or worsen symptoms of IBS." "The best way to evaluate your symptoms and how to treat them is in conjunction with your physician or an expert in digestive health" Crowe said. Find out more about available clinical trials for IBS at the UVa Health System. |
April 2004Experts Looking For Answers To Bowel Disease Trying To Understand Cause of IBS Some Treatments Available, More Needed Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms Irritable Bowel Syndrome SymptomsThe Office of Women's Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, provides information on irritable bowel syndrome in the following summary. Symptoms may include:
Foods that may cause IBS include:
Treatments for IBS include:
Always consult your physician for more information. Online Resources(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.) American College of Gastroenterology Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
