IBS Symptoms
Constipation and diarrhea are the primary IBS symptoms. This is quite difficult to diagnose and treat because diarrhea and constipation are two sides of the same coin. But when you have IBS, you can
experience diarrhea in one episode, and constipation in another. If it were just one of the two, then it would be easier to relieve the symptoms. If it were just constipation, for example, a laxative would relieve the discomfort, and your system would be soothed effectively. But there are constant swings from diarrhea to constipation, which makes dealing with the condition harder than usual.
People with IBS have the urge to empty their bowels right after eating, particularly after breakfast. The stools excreted are watery and very loose. When you suffer from IBS your digestive system processes food much faster than a non-IBS sufferer’s digestive system
normally does, which is why why the stools are watery.
There are other IBS symptoms to be aware of. Bloating is one such symptom. You might expect heightened levels of gas to go with bloating, but this is not the case at all. In fact, even when very bloated, your gas levels just might be normal.
You can expect to have abdominal pain with either diarrhea or constipation. This pain is alleviated when you are sleeping. This particular IBS symptom is actually experienced more by women than men, and is often mistaken as the usual abdominal pain that comes with menstruation. There are times when the pain can be mild, and other times the pain can be severe, recurring many times during the day and evening as well.
Other, less common IBS symptoms include nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, headaches, depression, back pain, groin pain, indigestion, and sleep disturbances. If you have been experiencing these IBS symptoms for a long time now, you should consult your physician right away.
For people with more severe forms of IBS, abdominal pain is a constant companion of diarrhea and constipation. But do not assume that you have IBS already just because you experience abdominal pain with diarrhea and constipation. IBS cannot be self-diagnosed, so it is best to consult your physician regarding the condition.
All of these signs and symptoms can come and go for different periods of time, manifesting in your system for consecutive days or even for months at a time. Then they can then disappear for another few months, before they return again.
It is during times when your body is under a lot of stress that you most commonly experience IBS symptoms. Emotional disturbances, such as depression and anxiety, are also closely associated with IBS. This is often due to the IBS symptoms that cause extended periods of pain, feelings of helplessness regarding the inability to stop or alleviate the suffering, and the isolation individuals feel due to the fact that so many non-sufferers do not want to hear about, or talk about, what that individual is going through. This is exactly why there are people who suggest the need for psychological counseling to alleviate the stress that aggravates and brings on IBS symptoms.
