Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a persistent, long-lasting condition closely related to the gastrointestinal disorder. The condition is more prominent in women than men.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is not a life-threatening disorder; neither does the condition result in any serious disease. However, it can make you feel very uncomfortable. The regular bowel movement of the sufferer starts to become abnormal and is accompanied by pain in some cases. Bowel movements should function at moderate levels, if it is frequent then an individual may also suffer from diarrhea and constipation.

In some cases, IBS can also result in severe pain, excessive gas and bloating in the stomach. As a result of these discomforts, the condition can sometimes be tough to deal with.

Causes Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Though the exact cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome hasn’t been pinned down yet, some factors are known to trigger or worsen the condition. Some of these include changes in the gastrointestinal tract, abnormal nervous system signals, and an intolerance towards food.

Apart from these causes, the following are said to trigger irritable bowel syndrome too:

• The unusual motion of the colon and small intestines, which can range from too fast or slow, or too strong.
• A larger sensitivity to pain.
• Food sensitivities that are possibly caused by poor absorption of sugars.
• Psychological factors such as depression and stress.

Treatment Of Irregular Bowel Movement
Since the real factor that causes irritable bowel syndrome isn’t clear-cut, the treatment and medication are mainly prescribed to relieve the patient of the symptoms. The treatment and medication help the sufferer lead a normal lifestyle.

If the symptoms aren’t very intense, they can be cured by dietary and lifestyle changes (i.e.) by avoiding certain foods and stress and drinking an adequate amount of water. On the other hand, if the symptoms are stronger, medication and treatment are required.

Changes In Your Diet

• Avoiding foods that are prone to generate gas in the stomach
  In the case of bloating and gas, experts and doctors suggest avoiding particular kinds of food that can be a cause of irritable bowel syndrome. The usual suspects are cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
• Avoiding Gluten
  Some reports suggest that eliminating gluten can be very helpful for preventing diarrhea.

Medications

• Fiber supplements
  In the case of constipation, fiber supplements can prove very helpful and may not be a cause of irritable bowel syndrome.
• Anti-diarrheal medications
  There are some medicines for diarrhea that are easily available over the counter. Cholestyramine, Colestipol, and Colesevelam are some medicines that can keep you away from diarrhea. There’s a downside to these medicines as they may cause bloating.
• Antidepressant medications
  If the cause of irritable bowel syndrome is depression, stress or other psychological factors, anti-depressants can help the person to destress. However, they should only be taken after consulting a doctor. The medicines can be bought only if a certified physician prescribes them to a patient.
• Counseling
  In case the factor that can be a cause of irritable bowel syndrome is psychological, counseling can sometimes prove helpful. It is very important that you see a certified and experienced counselor. Carry out adequate research before deciding on an advisor.
• Antibiotics
  Antibiotics can be helpful if the cause of irritable bowel syndrome is bacterial growth.
  The two following medications are presently accepted for particular cases of irritable bowel movement.
  Alosetron (Lotronex)
  Alosetron is created to ease the large intestine. As a result, the stool moves slower through the lower bowel.
  It is, however, only available if prescribed by a certified doctor and only for very critical cases of diarrhea. The medicine can be prescribed only if the patient is not responding to any other form of treatment. Alosetron is designed especially for women and is prescribed only to women. The medicine is known to have several side effects on men. For this reason, doctors don’t prescribe it to men.
  Lubiprostone (Amitiza)
  Lubiprostone raises the amount of secretion of fluid in the small intestine, easing the excretion of stool. This makes the passage of stool easier. The medicine is helpful in the cases of constipation and is accepted for women above the age of 18 years.
  Lubiprostone hasn’t yet been proven effective for males and is said to have many side effects for men. Just like Alosetron (Lotronex), Lubiprostone (Amitiza) is also prescribed for severe conditions. If other medications aren’t effective, one can use these medicines only after consulting a concerned doctor. There are some side effects of said medication, which include nausea, pain in the stomach, and diarrhea.