Can ibs cause stomach pain?

Do you ever feel like your stomach is a warzone? Do bloating, constipation or diarrhea keep you hostage in the bathroom for hours? Well, fam, you might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and unfortunately yes, it can cause stomach pain.

What Is IBS?

In simple words: a gastrointestinal disorder that affects 10-15% of adults. In complex words: an idiopathic, chronic, and relapsing condition caused by altered brain-gut interactions leading to alterations in motility, secretions and visceral perception. Still confused? It’s cool; nobody really knows how or why it happens.

The Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of IBS vary from person to person but here are the most common ones:

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Mucus in stool

If three out of those six sound familiar to you then beep beep – welcome aboard the IBS train!

But Wait…Can You Explain How It Causes Stomach Pain?

Of course! When somebody with IBS eats something irritating (i.e., lactose, caffeine, etc.), their reaction triggers contractions or spasms along their intestines/colon. These muscles fight harder than some boxing champs causing interruptions on normal digestive track movements which results in abdominal discomfort/pain.

It’s like having a music festival inside your gut & everything is screaming Eric Prydz lyrics.

That Explains The Cramps

Yes sir/ma’am it does! Here’s another fun fact: people with irritable bowel syndrome also tend to experience overly sensitive nerve endings that send signals between your brain and gut through your spinal cord so even if not eating any triggering foods one may still experience mild discomfort.

Why Me Though?

Unfortunately, we could not find a valid reason as to how or why somebody develops IBS. It’s just like that one ex that will never give us closure.

Factors That May Play A Role

However, some factors may increase the chance of developing this fun little ailment:

  • Age (young adults are more susceptible)
  • Gender (ladies, let us celebrate this moment because studies indicate women suffer from IBS 1.5 to 3x more than men; sorry guys!)
  • Family History
  • Mental Health Problems (i.e, anxiety disorders, depression)

Don’t worry though – no need for grandma’s remedies yet.

So What Can We Do About It?

Great news is there is no cure needed! Changes in diet and lifestyle can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Diet Plan For The Tortured Soul

There isn’t any specific diet plan for those with IBS but monitoring high fiber intake/avoiding irritating beverages can be a game-changer:

Foods To Avoid:

  1. Fried foods
  2. Processed foods
  3. Dairy products (well known trigger food)
  4. Irritating spices
  5. Caffeine

Foods Allowed:

Vegetables Fruits Proteins
Carrots Bananas Chicken Breast
Green Beans Blueberries Fish
Squash Grapes Tofu

It doesn’t sound too bad does it? No need to start grazing on grass just yet!

Lifestyle Changes To Improve Quality Of Life

If you’re prone to having irregular bowel movements due to IBS, then placing oneself on general bowel movement scheduling might work wonders:

Being Regular = Blissful Happiness 

It may also be helpful if one imbedded the following practices into their daily routine:

  • Stay Hydrated
  • Good Quality Sleep 7+ hours a day
  • Exercise (it’s also just good for your soul)

Medications

In severe cases prescription medications may be needed to help reduce an individual’s intestinal spasms/contractions, address other underlying issues, or provide relief from explosive diarrhea. Talk with your primary care doctor.

The Bottom Line

So in conclusion gang – yes IBS can cause stomach pain but fret not because many lifestyle changes are readily available to bring one comfort and alleviate symptoms. And most importantly let us never forget:

With bowel irregularity comes creativity.

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