What is it?
Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal condition that causes abdominal pain and changes in intestinal transit. It is common among college students and workers due to the stress caused by heavy workloads. It is a recurrent disease in women, appearing at the end of adolescence or the beginning of adulthood.
It is a condition that occurs between 16 and 30% of the Mexican population. It is caused by alterations in bowel movement, intestinal sensitivity, small intestine bacteria, high fats and high sugar diet, and psychological alterations such as depression and anxiety.
Some patients confuse this condition with indigestion since among the symptoms there is inflammation after eating food and they tend to self-medicate, which can cause a more serious illness and can cause work or school absenteeism due to discomfort.
What are the symptoms?
The most common warning signs are:
- lower abdominal pain
- inflammation
- diarrhea
- constipation
- gases
- gut noises
There are a variety of causes for irritable bowel syndrome, among them are periods of stress, as a consequence of an intestinal infection, consumption of dairy products, highly seasoned foods, carbonated beverages, legumes, broccoli, or cauliflower, as well as smoking.
It has no cure and is recurrent, especially if it is related to stress, so relaxation exercises such as yoga are recommended to help in cases of anxiety and depression.
Remember to consult your ABC doctor if you have any of the symptoms.
At ABC Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
