This title is a bit misleading, because true spastic colon syndrome, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not have a real cause nor a real cure. However, because different diseases can cause similar intestinal upset, a correct diagnosis may rule out what was erroneously thought to be IBS.
Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain and cramping, constipation and/or diarrhea, and possibly fatigue or weight loss if diarrhea is frequent and severe. Because numerous ailments produce these symptoms, it is important to rule out other potential causes. This can include diseases such as colon cancer, celiac disease (gluten intolerance) and gallstones, as well as other things like intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, or food allergies. If one of these other conditions is the cause of a person’s abdominal problems, treatments aimed at IBS will not help; and, as in the case of undiagnosed cancer, may eventually lead to more severe problems and even death.
It can be difficult to eliminate food allergies or intolerance as the reason behind abdominal upset, but keeping a food diary will allow a person to more clearly see a link between eating a certain food and getting stomach cramps later.
Once all other causes of these intestinal problems are excluded as possibilities, the diagnosis is made. While there is no “cure” for this ailment, there are several factors which are known to aggravate or exacerbate the symptoms. These factors include stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating foods high in fat, sugar or caffeine. As in so many other areas of health, the first line of defense is to eat a healthy diet with plenty of fiber and fresh vegetable, exercise to reduce stress, and reduce or entirely eliminate smoking and drinking. If these methods do not provide enough relief, IBS medications can be prescribed to help control the symptoms.
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