An attack of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a period of extreme gastrointestinal discomfort caused by improper digestion. People with irritable bowel syndrome experience pain and discomfort that can be relieved by having a bowel movement in some cases, and in other cases may be associated with constipation or diarrhea until the attack passes. Treatments are available to control IBS and reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, but ultimately even people on treatment can experience an IBS attack and are unable to control when the attack occurs and how long it lasts.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a type of functional gastrointestinal disorder. Bowel examination, biopsy samples, and other diagnostic tests reveal nothing physically wrong with the GI tract. Instead, there is a problem with the function of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by irregularities in the contractions of the intestine. This causes food to move more slowly or faster than it should, causing pain and discomfort until it is removed.
People can experience an IBS attack in response to food triggers, stress, medications, exercise, and a wide variety of other events. During an attack, people may feel nauseated and vomit. Pain levels are usually high and the patient may have an urge to defecate. For some patients, loss of bowel control may occur. Even after passing stool, the patient may feel that the intestines are full. The swelling can increase the discomfort and many patients develop headaches. Sometimes an IBS attack can cause a patient to engage in self-injurious behavior such as scratching at the abdomen in an attempt to stop the pain.
The treatment of irritable bowel disease can be approached from several perspectives. Diet modifications are often recommended to eliminate trigger foods and make attacks less common. Some patients are sensitive to dairy products, spicy foods, or fatty foods, for example. Cutting out foods that are known to cause gas and bloating can also be beneficial. Medications and stress management therapy can be helpful for people experiencing IBS attacks due to stress-related issues.
An IBS attack can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Some patients do not seek treatment, even after a severe attack of IBS, because they are afraid to discuss the symptoms with a doctor or believe that there is nothing that can be done. It is important to be medically evaluated for gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients who are nervous about going to the doctor can check the IBS forums to see if there is a doctor that other patients recommend.