
Causes of IBS – A Combination of Factors
A common gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, leads to a mixture of symptoms including abdominal discomfort, disturbed bowel movements, and abnormal stool texture. These symptoms last long and may be present for a minimum of three days every month over a period of three months. Also called as spastic colon, this disorder is not life-threatening and does not put you at a greater risk for other more serious intestinal conditions such as colon cancer and Crohn’s disease. However, the syndrome may impede normal lifestyle to the extent that sufferers may be confined to their homes. IBS is of two types, one accompanied by chronic or recurring diarrhea, and the other characterized by pain in the abdomen and constipation. In some cases, patients may experience both constipation and diarrhea in an alternating pattern. Unfortunately, research is yet to pinpoint the precise reason why IBS occurs. However, it is known that there are several factors, ranging from abnormally contracting intestinal muscles to psychological problems that act as the causes of IBS. Abnormal Movement of the Intestinal Walls Normally, the muscles lining the intestinal walls relax and contract in a coordinated fashion to help food from the stomach move through the entire length of the intestinal tract and reach the rectum. However, in patients with IBS, the muscles contract irregularly thus causing the symptoms of the syndrome. For example, if the muscle contractions are stronger than usual, they tend to last longer and lead to bloating, gas formation, and diarrhea. On the other hand, if the contractions are weak, movement of food through the intestines slows down, which causes the formation of hard and dry stools. One reason for the abnormal contraction of intestinal muscles is the flawed signaling between the gut and brain. Owing to miscommunication, muscle spasms occur that either hasten or retard stool passage through the gut.