Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diarrhea

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a malady that affects millions of Americans every year, causing countless amounts of suffering, pain, and torment through chronic symptoms that never seem to go away. What's worse about this condition is that there is no cure, only courses of treatment that alleviate but do not eliminate the symptoms that cause so much discomfort. While it is true that IBS is not as serious as other gastro-intestinal diseases, it is still serious enough to warrant an article such as this. To better inform you about its effects, I will explain irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea and ways you can help to limit this condition - and have a better life in the process.

What is IBS?      

As mentioned above, IBS is a condition that targets and affects the gastro-intestinal system - or, the network of organs that help you digest and process food. These organs include the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine, and the colon. Problems with this system can result in lowered nutrition, decreased health, and serious complications that can drastically lower the quality of life you experience. No one is really sure as to what the causes of IBS are. One possible explanation is that IBS is just a collection of symptoms caused by bacterial infection, or a viral pathogen. Parasitic infection may also be a cause.  Other reasons given include poor immune systems (usually because of infections), poor nutrition, and other, more serious disorders like Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease. No matter what the causes, however, it is clear that IBS results in chronic pain, abdominal inflammation, constipation, and, of course, diarrhea.

What about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diarrhea?

Few symptoms of IBS are as annoying and discomforting as irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea, not only because of the inconvenience it affords, but the social stigma that can be associated with it. Diarrhea in general is typically the way the body deals with extreme imbalances in the gastro-intestinal system. In this way, repeated and frequent watery stools and discharge is a method by which the body responds to the disorders or afflictions that mess with how the GI system operates. Normally food is digested and processed without much difficulty; with diarrhea, the imbalance results in frequent trips to the bathroom that results in the aforementioned watery stool. Diarrhea is dangerous because it can dehydrate someone rapidly. Needless to say, irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea can be bothersome as well as problematic.

How Do You Treat This?

The most effective way to treat irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea is to increase one's intake of fluids. You should drink plenty of water - at least four glasses a day - if you have IBS, because this syndrome dehydrates your body and causes stress that you don't need. You'll get most of your water intake daily from what you eat, but if you have IBS then you'll need to consume a little more. Do not drink more than 12 liters a day, though; that could send you into shock. Just try and drink a bottle of water every two to three hours and you'll be fine. If your diarrhea doesn't get any better, over-the-counter medications such as Imodium can go a long way in helping you out.