Are you struggling with irritable bowel syndrome?
IBSNZ is a support network to help those struggling with IBS. Read great articles, share your comments and find practical ways to manage your IBS symptoms.
The following symptoms are not associated with IBS:
Weight loss, blood in the stools, fever, recent change in bowel habit. Please visit a doctor asap.
What is IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the name given to a cluster of symptoms affecting the gut in the absence of pathological disease. These symptoms include:a greater than 3 month history of:
- an erratic bowel habit
- abdominal bloating
- abdominal pain or discomfort
- excessive wind
- loose, unformed bowel motions
- hard, rock or pebble like bowel motions
- a sense of incomplete evacuation
- passing mucus with bowel motions
- fatigue
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How is IBS identified
A group of gastroenterologists have created identification criteria called the Rome criteria. This is continually updated, the latest being called the Rome III criteria. There are people with an irritable bowel who don’t typically fit the criteria, but this does not mean they don’t have IBS.
IBS symptoms need to be investigated to eliminate pathological causes of symptoms such as Crohn’s disease, bowel cancer, coeliac disease. To do this means having some blood tests, and stool tests looking for signs of inflammation or infection, blood in the stools, and other changes. Sometimes it is also necessary to have a colonoscopy. If all tests are normal then the cluster of symptoms is known at the moment as a functional disorder, or IBS.
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How can it be treated
Firstly it is important to look for the cause. Occasionally the direct cause is not obvious, or is not easy to treat, in which case symptom management is an option.
There are several ways of treating different symptoms. For instance, bulking agents such as Metamucil is helpful for some people with diarrhoea, and appropriate use of antidiarrhoeal agents can give people more confidence in being able to socialize. Wind and bloating can be helped with peppermint oil capsules, and a variety of laxatives have their place for constipation.
Mission Statement
The IBS NZ support group was founded out of a need for people with symptoms of IBS to find help within NZ. The role of this site is to provide evidence based, quality information on IBS, associated health concerns, and to learn about appropriate management strategies. This site provides an opportunity for individuals to share experiences and gain strength from each other as well as from professional advice.