April is IBS Awareness Month! Join us in spreading awareness, breaking stigma, and supporting those with IBS Join our social campaign Share the hashtags #IBSAwarenessMonth and #MoreThanAStomachache Download our IBS Media Toolkit IBS This year, IFFGD and the community raise awareness, promote understanding, and offer compassion to those living with IBS– the theme for IBS […]
Intestinal Nerves and Serotonin in Gut Function The Body’s Second Brain The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a large and complex network of nerves that manages the activity of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. These nerves talk to your real brain and also get help from your body’s stress system, immune system, and hormones. But even […]
IBS is a group of symptoms; therefore, IBS symptom treatments vary. Most medicines are aimed at only one symptom. If your IBS is interfering with your daily life, your healthcare provider may suggest or prescribe a medicine based on your most troubling symptom. Effects will vary widely from person to person. All medicines have possible […]
Abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel produce the symptoms of IBS. A “dysregulation” between the brain, the gut, and the central nervous system causes the bowel to become “irritated,” or overly sensitive to stimuli. Symptoms may occur even in response to normal events. A number of symptoms that occur together characterize […]
What are the causes of IBS? For many people, IBS is a long-term (chronic) condition that involves ongoing episodes of abdominal pain or discomfort linked to changes in their bowel movements. Some individuals—especially those whose symptoms began after a bout of food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea (known as post-infectious IBS)—may see gradual improvement over time. […]
“I thought I was the only one.” For many who experience symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), “I thought I was the only one” is a familiar sentiment. It is not uncommon to feel alone with symptoms that are difficult or embarrassing to put into words, that may disrupt activities, yet are invisible to others. […]
Diet – An Important 1st Step in IBS Treatment
Constipation is one of the most common intestinal problems in children, accounting for 3% to 5% of all visits to pediatricians. It is a symptom, not a disease. Fortunately, most constipation in infants and children is not caused by any serious medical disease. The cause of most constipation is functional or idiopathic, meaning there is […]
Question and Answer: Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) and Functional Fecal Retention Answer by: Paul E. Hyman, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS Question My son was diagnosed with encopresis almost 2 years ago. My doctor thinks it is my fault my son has encopresis, saying I […]
Introduction Cancer of the colon and rectum remains one of the most deadly forms of cancer. It is the third most common cancer in the United States, yet it is quite curable by surgery when found in its early stages. Since it involves the lower gastrointestinal tract, treatment of colon and rectal cancer frequently affects […]
Introduction Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a chronic disease marked by severe, recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting in a person who is otherwise healthy. CVS episodes often flip-flop with states of wellness. Vomiting may occur every 5-10 minutes for several hours during an episode. On average, CVS episodes last 3-7 days but vary with […]
What is intestinal pseudo-obstruction? Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare condition with symptoms like those caused by a bowel obstruction, or blockage. But when the intestines are examined, no blockage is found. Instead, the symptoms are due to nerve (visceral neuropathy) or muscle (visceral myopathy) problems that affect the movement of food, fluid, and air through […]