Irritable bowel syndrome: symptoms, treatment

Are you suffering from abdominal pain, cramps and constant bowel movements? Unpleasant sensations in the intestinal area can ruin all plans, so we use various medications to relieve abdominal discomfort. But these measures only allow you to temporarily get rid of the symptoms of a serious disease, which return again and again. What if these symptoms have a single cause - irritable bowel syndrome? What this disease is, what its symptoms are and how to cure it, we will tell you in this article.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

This is a disorder of the intestines and discomfort in the abdomen during bowel movements. The syndrome itself is not a disease, but rather a set of symptoms that often occur for an unknown reason. Unfortunately, such a disorder can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life, forcing him to remain in an uncomfortable state: digestion is disrupted, metabolic processes in the body worsen, and the saturation of the human body with nutrients decreases.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a very common occurrence among people aged 25 to 40 years. Statistics show that at least once in their life, every third person has experienced the unpleasant symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Self-medication in this case can be very dangerous to health. The fact is that the syndrome is treated comprehensively and under the close attention of the attending physician. The consequence of self-medication can be intestinal obstruction and numerous chronic gastrointestinal diseases. With the first signs of irritable bowel syndrome, you should contact a therapist, who will refer you to a more specialized specialist - a gastroenterologist. The diagnosis is usually made only after excluding tumors and inflammatory changes in the intestines.

The intestines are where food is digested and nutrients are obtained by the body. When food enters the intestines, it moves along the intestines. This process of advancement is achieved through the work of smooth muscle cells within the intestinal walls. The cells alternately contract and relax. But when IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) appears, cell function is disrupted. Food begins to pass through the intestines either too quickly or too slowly. The result is discomfort and constipation or diarrhea.

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Diseases of the large intestine do not always manifest themselves clearly and clearly. More often than not, the initial phase is accompanied by vague symptoms that people do not attach importance to. This may be a burning sensation, discomfort in the intestines, and periodic mucus discharge. The specificity of the intestines is that for a long time it may not give such signs that would indicate the need to visit a proctologist. Even when a person begins to be bothered by pain, bloating, discharge from the anus and other symptoms, he does not rush to see a doctor. At first, the patient persistently tries self-medication and those remedies that modern advertising intrusively offers. Meanwhile, the symptoms change, become more noticeable, painful and often aggressive.

Sometimes the symptoms may not indirectly indicate intestinal diseases; the symptoms may be specific:

sudden weight loss;
weakness in the body;
disturbances in metabolic and hormonal processes;
hair loss.

These signs accompany the most severe intestinal lesions: cancer, malignant tumors, polyposis. The intestine is the only organ that simultaneously belongs to two important systems of the body: the immune and gastrointestinal tract. For a full life and health, it is important to be able to recognize those symptoms and signs that indicate a pathological process in the large intestine:

constipation;
pain of varying intensity in the abdomen;
bleeding during bowel movements;
discharge of clear or purulent mucus;
anemia;
flatulence;
intestinal obstruction;
stool disorder;
tenesmus;
incontinence.

Intestinal constipation With constipation, difficulties with defecation are observed, up to the complete exclusion of stool for several days. Constipation can be constant and persistent and not respond to the effects of laxatives. An upset bowel movement can be replaced by constipation - this is a common picture with irritable bowel syndrome, dysbacteriosis, and functional disorders. The intensity of pain depends on the type of constipation: atonic and spastic. In the first case, the pain is aching, often not aggressive. With spastic constipation, there may be persistent pain in the groin area. The presence of frequent constipation indicates the possibility of fecal impaction or intestinal obstruction. The conditions are extremely dangerous in nature and can threaten life.

Abdominal pain Pain in the abdomen and groin often accompanies organic and functional disorders in the large intestine. Thus, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the pain is in the nature of spastic contractions. Such pain often radiates to the lumbar region and radiates along the outside of the legs. It is difficult to determine the locality, since the pain “spreads” across the lower abdomen, often involving the perineum in the process.

Constant pain is a sign of a progressive inflammatory process. Such pains are aching, pulling, persistent. Manifested in IBS, various colitis, diverticulosis. The nature of the pain indicates the likelihood of developing peritonitis or a purulent lesion.

Bloody discharge and bleeding Bleeding occurs in diseases of the rectum and colon. Usually, the location of the lesion is visually determined by the color of the blood: the brighter the blood, the closer to the exit the lesion is. Thus, the appearance of clear and bright scarlet blood indicates internal or external hemorrhoids. Sometimes blood loss can be significant and cause weakness and dizziness.

If the stool is homogeneous and contains uniform bloody impurities, then this is a symptom of the formation of a tumor in the upper intestines. Sometimes such masses occur with nonspecific colitis and diverticulosis. The higher the lesion is, the more uniform the blood clots in the stool will look and the darker their color.

In Crohn's disease, blood may be released in pure form or in large clots. In some cases, scarlet blood may be a sign of a disintegrating tumor in the intestine.

Discharge of mucus or pus Such discharge is either constant or appears during bowel movements. Most often this becomes a sign of the formation of a fistula in the anus. With constant mucus secretion and pain, sphincter insufficiency can be assumed. In this case, numerous erosions and cracks form, which causes itching and pain.

Such discharge is characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome, proctitis, and the formation of tumors in the sigmoid colon. Often the discharge is combined with blood and the appearance of clots.

Pain in the anus Pain can be aching and periodic, bursting in the area of the passage. This happens with deep cracks; they heal with difficulty, especially if there is constipation. Jerking and unbearable pain occurs when hemorrhoids rupture or there are multiple nodes in the intestines. Regular hemorrhoids without complications do not cause such pain; they are only felt as distension and swelling in the anus.

Anemia Anemia develops when a person has lost a lot of blood. This occurs with severe intestinal lesions, cancerous formations, and rapid tumor progression.

Bloating and flatulence Bloating is a common sign for almost any pathology in the gastrointestinal tract. The feeling of bloating and heavy gases is typical with constipation, intestinal obstruction, and fecal impaction. Often flatulence is the result of enzyme deficiency and may indicate disturbances in the functioning of other internal organs. Bloating and flatulence often accompany those who suffer from dysbiosis and eat poorly. In some cases, bloating occurs with a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the stomach, but with excess gas, severe abdominal pain may occur.

Intestinal obstruction Intestinal obstruction can be complete or partial. More often you have to deal with partial, which is characterized by:

bloating;
pain;
flatulence;
prolonged constipation;
the appearance of impurities and blood;
vomit;
loss of appetite.

More often this indicates severe damage to the large intestine of organic origin. The condition is extremely painful and dangerous to human health. As it progresses, signs of poisoning of the body and inflammation of the peritoneum appear. With partial intestinal obstruction, stool is rare, scanty, and often replaced by profuse upset. Temporary improvement occurs under the influence of taking laxatives or cleansing enemas.

Stool disorder Diarrhea accompanies milder intestinal diseases, a common sign of dysbiosis. Also, stool disorder can be combined with other symptoms, such as constipation or various discharges. This happens with exacerbation of colitis, IBS.

Tenesmus Tenesmus is a false urge to have a bowel movement. With such urges, a small amount of mucus is released, sometimes along with diarrhea. Tenesmus is usually frequent, persistent, tiring a person with its frequency. Characteristic of excited motility of the rectum, they become a consequence of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the anus.

Incontinence Incontinence of fecal masses of secreted gases manifests itself with congenital or acquired changes in the sphincter. Another reason could be dysregulation due to psychological factors.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

nausea and gag reflex;
flatulence with copious release of gases;
abdominal pain or cramps;
constant bloating;
stool disorders - constipation or diarrhea;
pain in the lower abdomen;
sleep disturbance;
increased heart rate;
increased fatigue;
long digestion of food;
the appearance of mucus in the stool;
false urge to defecate;
loss of appetite.

Also, the disease is often accompanied by symptoms that, at first glance, are not characteristic of intestinal pathologies: headaches, discomfort in the spine and muscles, weight loss and abdominal swelling. All these symptoms are not constant, they can disappear and reappear over time. Unpleasant sensations most often appear after each meal, and then become less pronounced.

Diagnostic methods for spasms and pain in the intestines

Frequent spasms of the intestinal muscles can signal a number of organic and functional disorders. This requires an integrated approach to diagnosis for a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Based on the collected medical history, the following examination methods may be prescribed:

laboratory tests of stool, including for dysbacteriosis;
blood and urine tests (including pancreatic enzyme tests);
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, liver, gall bladder;
gastroduodenoscopy;
colonoscopy.

Considering that intestinal pain and intestinal colic can “mask” diseases of other abdominal and pelvic organs, consultations with other specialists are recommended. Thus, an examination by a gynecologist for women can exclude pathologies of the reproductive organs, and a consultation with a urologist can exclude kidney disease.

Reasons for the development of the pathological phenomenon

Nutrition. Eating fried, salty, sweet and fatty foods, as well as alcohol-containing drinks, has a negative effect on digestion. In addition, modern people constantly snack on the run. Which also negatively affects intestinal function.
Hormonal disbalance. More often, this reason is typical for women during periods of life such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and the menstrual cycle. As for the menstrual cycle, during this period the amount of chemicals changes, and the problem begins to manifest itself more clearly.
Impaired intestinal motility. If motor skills work in an accelerated mode, this leads to stomach upset and diarrhea. On the contrary, slow bowel movements can cause constipation. As a result, pain leads to a sharp contraction of muscles.
Emotional stress: stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue.
Past diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Infections that cause gastrointestinal diseases can subsequently affect the functioning of the entire intestine.

Treatment of intestines for spasms and pain

What to do with intestinal colic in the abdomen, the doctor decides based on the results of the examination, medical history, taking into account the age and general health of the patient - treatment for an adult and a child can differ significantly.

During therapy the following directions can be used:

drug treatment aimed at eliminating symptoms, normalizing the balance of microflora and intestinal motility, restoring the enzymatic function of the pancreas and other disorders identified during the examination;
surgical treatment in cases where the patient has structural changes in the large or small intestine, multiple polyps or other neoplasms that interfere with the normal functioning of the organ;
diet therapy, the purpose of which is to facilitate the work of the intestines as much as possible for its speedy recovery and eliminate factors leading to irritation of its walls.

The treatment package is selected exclusively individually, taking into account the causes and complications of the disease, as well as its clinical manifestations. Therefore, specialists of a narrow profile - a gynecologist, urologist, endocrinologist - can take part in the formation of a therapy program. If intestinal spasms due to nerves are detected, treatment includes consultations with a clinical psychologist, and in case of intestinal innervation disorders, a neurologist.

Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

If you have all the symptoms of the disease listed above, consult a physician. He will conduct an initial examination and refer you to a gastroenterologist. The purpose of primary diagnosis is to exclude the presence of other life-threatening diseases: tumors, inflammatory processes, growths, infectious diseases.

When visiting a doctor, you need to provide a complete medical history, report the presence and frequency of symptoms, and talk about the presence of chronic diseases. After examination and palpation (feeling), the specialist will refer you for laboratory tests, including:

General blood analysis. The analysis allows you to determine whether an inflammatory process is present in the body, as well as to determine possible anemia.
General urine analysis. Determines the presence or absence of blood and parasites in the patient’s body, which allows us to talk about the development of a number of intestinal diseases other than irritable bowel syndrome.
Blood test for celiac disease. A specific blood test that allows you to identify a disease of the digestive system (celiac disease), in which the intestines cease to properly digest incoming food, which is accompanied by diarrhea.
Colonoscopy. This is an examination of the colon from the inside using a special device (colonoscope).
Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis and abdomen. This is a non-invasive examination method that allows you to study the structure and condition of the organs and tissue of the pelvis in men and women using magnetic waves.

After all the studies have been carried out and all other intestinal diseases have been excluded, the doctor begins treatment and prescribes complex therapy, based on the patient’s medical history.

Diagnostics

Difficulties in diagnosing diseases of the small intestine are explained by the peculiarities of its location. Analysis of the clinical picture, histological, endoscopic, and immunological methods are of decisive importance.

Almost all diseases of the colon are detected by fiber colonoscopy (flexible fiber colonoscopes with fiber optics are used). The examination also includes:

study using contrast agents
angiography
fistulography
lymphography
parietography
ultrasound
research using radioactive isotopes.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Therapy for IBS should be carried out comprehensively in several stages. The treatment regimen depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the degree and time of the pathology. Most often, drug therapy is prescribed, which is supplemented by a special diet. In the absence of comprehensive treatment, symptoms will reappear from time to time.

The medications that the doctor prescribes for the treatment of IBS not only eliminate painful symptoms, but also improve the condition of the digestive system, and also prevent relapses and complications. When treating diarrhea syndrome, medications with antimicrobial properties are prescribed. They relieve irritation of intestinal tissues, stop excess flatulence and restore normal intestinal function.

When treating IBS with constipation, the use of natural medicines is indicated that eliminate difficulties with defecation, have a gentle effect on inflamed intestinal tissue and free it from feces. May be in the form of chewable tablets or rectal suppositories.

If the appearance of IBS is associated with neurological disorders, antidepressants are prescribed - they normalize the functioning of the nervous system and improve the psycho-emotional state.

To relieve pain, painkillers and antispasmodics are used - they relax muscle fibers and tissues that are in hypertonicity.

Diet for irritable bowel syndrome

The diet for IBS depends on what symptoms accompany the pathology. If you experience frequent constipation, you should exclude dry, salty foods from your diet. For diarrhea, avoid liquid foods, vegetables, and fruits.

If you suffer from flatulence, you should limit dairy products, nuts, and beans. If there is severe pain in the intestines, fatty, salty, and heavy foods are not allowed.

At the Medunion clinic you can undergo a full examination and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. We employ practicing doctors with over 10 years of experience. In the diagnostic room you can take all tests and undergo hardware examination in a comfortable environment. For our clients there is a special offer “doctor at home”. If you are unable to visit our medical center yourself, a doctor will come to you and conduct an examination at home.

Take care of your health and make an appointment with a multidisciplinary medical center directly on our website.

Treatment of intestinal pain

To make a diagnosis, symptoms alone are not enough, so the doctor prescribes an additional examination, including:

A coprogram is a detailed examination of stool, with the help of which medical experts determine the nature of the completeness of food digestion. This diagnostic test determines whether the patient is suffering from gastrointestinal disorders.
Bacteriological examination of stool. Bacteriological examination of stool provides informative data about the presence of the causative agent of intestinal infection in the body and the ratio of bacteria of healthy and opportunistic flora.
Endoscopy. An endoscopic examination of the body is carried out by inserting a fiber optic tube into the upper or lower parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The fiber optic tube is equipped with a special camera and lighting. This diagnostic examination makes it possible to directly see the condition of the mucous membrane.
Colonoscopy. An intestinal examination is performed using a device that allows you to visually evaluate the surface of the intestinal walls.
Computed tomography can detect tumor diseases and internal changes in organs.

After a diagnostic examination, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. This group of medications will relieve pain syndromes and stop the progression of the disease.

For consultation, tests and various studies, we advise you to contact the private clinic “KDS Clinic”. You will receive qualified assistance, attention from the best proctologists in the Russian Federation and treatment at affordable prices. For more accessible information about services, please visit the official website of our medical institution.

The most accurate methods for diagnosing intestinal diseases are colonoscopy and computed tomography. These diagnostic examinations have a number of contraindications. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are strictly prohibited:

Children under sixteen years of age. The human body at this age is quite weak, so diagnostic tests using radiation can damage healthy organs.
Pregnancy or lactation period. During pregnancy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are contraindicated. They can harm the condition of the fetus, especially in the early stages. During the lactation period, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are not performed. If these diagnostics are necessary, then it is advisable for the woman to express milk after the procedure and refrain from feeding the baby for 48 hours.

The medical specialist diagnoses and treats intestinal diseases and conducts a comprehensive examination. We invite you to make an appointment with a proctologist and endoscopist.

Where is an MRI of the intestine done?

Remote screening using a hardware installation is available in specialized medical institutions that contain diagnostic rooms with high-precision equipment. In St. Petersburg, both state and private organizations, distributed throughout all districts of the city, receive admissions. Before registering for a study, you must make sure that the clinic uses tomographs with a field generation frequency of 1.5 Tesla or more. Only high-field machines guarantee the correct scanning result.

You can find and compare MRI medical centers on the service of the “Unified Recording Center” in St. Petersburg. At the top of the page is the number of the consultation service, whose operators will not only answer your questions in detail, but will also suggest the addresses of conveniently located clinics and make an appointment for your free time. Institutions are distributed by location, ratings, prices for services and technical indicators of equipment, which makes comparison and selection easier. Book the procedure through the portal and receive a special discount from the service.