What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome and and how it can be treated in SIngapore | Dr David Ong - A respected Singapore Gastroenterologist

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as ‘sensitive gut’, is a common disorder affecting the large intestine affecting 20% of people in the US and 10% in Singapore. Irritable bowel syndrome tends to affect more women than men and also occurs more frequently to people in their 30s and 40s. The precise cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not known. Factors that appear to play a role in irritable bowel syndrome severity include:

– Early life stress

– Change in gut microbes (dysbiosis)

– Severe gastrointestinal infection

– Nervous disorders

Signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include:

– Abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping associated with passing stool

– Changes in frequency of passing stool

– Change in appearance of stool

– Diarrhoea

– Constipation

– Flatulence (farting)

– Nausea

– Not being able to control when you pass stool (bowel incontinence)

Diagnosis and Management

There is no definitive test for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. Based on your symptoms, medical history, physical examination, tests would be conducted to rule out other conditions such as gluten intolerance or gastroenteritis. It is important that any other possible conditions are ruled out through a series of tests, usually including an endoscopy. Following this, Dr Ong will aim to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome using medical criteria and classify the type of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome can be divided into three types based on your presentation: constipation-predominant, diarrhoea-predominant, or mixed.

Treatment is aimed at symptom relief as there is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome. Dr Ong will suggest home remedies or lifestyle changes to relieve your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms without the prescription of medication. Examples include:

– Regular exercise

– Minimizing stress

– Taking probiotics

– Avoiding deep-fried or spicy foods

Depending on how severe the disease is, Dr Ong may prescribe medication.

Other symptoms