Irritable Bowel Syndrome


Is irritable bowel syndrome prone to recurrence?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, characterized mainly by abdominal pain associated with bowel habits, as well as changes in the characteristics of the stool, such as alternating diarrhea or constipation. Generally, abdominal pain tends to decrease after defecation and is related to it. This condition is prone to recurring episodes, presenting a prolonged and difficult-to-cure phenomenon. In Western medicine, probiotics can be taken orally to adjust the gut flora and alleviate symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also provides options, including herbal medicine based on syndrome differentiation and oral administration. Additionally, external TCM therapies such as moxibustion, herbal enemas, and herbal hydrotherapy are also effective in treating this condition.


How to regulate irritable bowel syndrome
The main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) manifest as abdominal pain, changes in stool consistency, including diarrhea or constipation, and sometimes the presence of white mucus in the stool. Colonoscopy shows no organic changes in the intestinal mucosa. The treatment of IBS mainly involves oral probiotics to adjust the gut flora. Additionally, treatment can be conducted through traditional Chinese medicine based on syndrome differentiation, including oral administration of herbal medicine. External traditional Chinese treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint application, hot therapy, and thunder-fire moxibustion can also be effective in treating IBS. In terms of diet, it is important to consume light, easily digestible foods primarily, avoiding spicy, stimulating, fried, grilled, cold, and sweet foods. Preference should be given to foods that are easy to digest, such as porridge, soup, and noodles.


Can irritable bowel syndrome cause mucus in stool?
Irritable bowel syndrome commonly presents with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Typically, passing mucus in stool is not a symptom of this condition. If mucus in stool occurs, it may suggest chronic colitis. A colonoscopy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. If the colonoscopy reveals white mucus in the intestines, or signs of mucosal hyperemia, edema, or erosion, chronic colitis can be diagnosed. In terms of treatment, Western medicine primarily uses probiotics to adjust the gut flora. Chinese medicine, on the other hand, treats patients based on syndrome differentiation, using oral herbal medicine as well as external Chinese medicinal methods, which include moxibustion or herbal enemas, among others, to alleviate symptoms and treat the disease.


What to do about vomiting with irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional gastrointestinal disease, primarily characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics, with alternating constipation and diarrhea. Generally, abdominal pain eases after defecation. This disease usually does not involve vomiting. If vomiting occurs, it may indicate a possible gastrointestinal dysfunction, which is similar to irritable bowel syndrome as both are functional gastrointestinal disorders without organic lesions, but they manifest as symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system. In the presence of such symptoms, it is recommended to use medication that enhances gastric motility to stop vomiting, and symptomatic treatment can be very effective.


Is bowel sounds after eating indicative of irritable bowel syndrome?
If there is increased bowel sounds and irritable bowel syndrome after eating, there is inevitably a connection. Overeating or consuming overly greasy, indigestible food, or spicy and stimulating foods can lead to abdominal organ issues and abdominal pain, with symptoms like increased bowel sounds or diarrhea. However, if there are gastrointestinal diseases, especially conditions like gastritis or gastric ulcers, uncomfortable symptoms may also occur after eating.


Can you smoke with irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, characterized primarily by abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics. The abdominal pain is related to defecation, typically easing after bowel movements. This condition tends to be recurrent and persistent. As for whether individuals with this syndrome can smoke, given that smoking can significantly harm many organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, it is advised against. Smoking can potentially exacerbate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Therefore, smoking is not recommended for individuals with this condition.


Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome serious?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. It is primarily characterized by abdominal pain accompanied by changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics. The abdominal pain is related to bowel movements and generally improves after defecation. The symptoms are recurrent and tend to linger, showing a chronic pattern. This disease is of a functional nature. There are no organic changes in the body, meaning there are symptoms present but no other physical abnormalities. Thus, while IBS can be uncomfortable, it does not cause significant harm to the body. Probiotics can be used to adjust the gut flora and treat these symptoms, which can lead to some improvements.


Can an ultrasound detect irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. Its main symptoms are abdominal pain and changes in the nature of stool, with the abdominal pain being related to defecation, meaning that the pain is followed by a bowel movement. Since it is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, there are no organic changes, meaning there are no physical changes in any part of the body. It is solely a functional change, and therefore cannot be detected through an ultrasound. In fact, no tests can detect the functional nature of this disorder. In terms of examining the intestinal mucosa, ultrasound cannot visualize it either. The only way to clearly see the intestinal mucosa is through a colonoscopy, so ultrasound cannot detect irritable bowel syndrome.


Can a CT scan check for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common type of functional gastrointestinal disorder, characterized primarily by abdominal pain accompanied by changes in habitual bowel patterns. The abdominal pain is related to defecation, often improving after bowel movements, and the symptoms frequently recur or are chronically persistent. Thus, IBS is a functional disease, meaning it does not involve organic changes. In other words, medical examinations do not reveal problems in any specific part of the body. Therefore, IBS cannot be detected with a CT scan, and CT also cannot visualize the intestinal mucosa. Even diseases like chronic colitis cannot be detected with a CT scan. Any diseases involving the gastrointestinal mucosa cannot be uncovered by CT, hence diagnosis requires the use of gastroscopy or colonoscopy.


Can irritable bowel syndrome cause back pain?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. Its primary symptoms are abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics. The abdominal pain is related to bowel movements, meaning that the pain tends to decrease after defecation. These symptoms are a major manifestation of IBS. IBS rarely causes lower back pain. If lower back pain occurs, it is important to consider diseases that commonly cause this symptom, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar muscle strain, and kidney diseases like kidney stones and renal colic. Therefore, it is crucial to first identify the specific cause of the lower back pain before proceeding with targeted treatment. IBS is generally not associated with symptoms of lower back pain.