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This disease was also formerly known as spastic bowel. |
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It is more common in females and typically occurs in the age group
of 20 to 40. |
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Patients have abdominal pain and cramping, constipation or
diarrhea or alternating constipation or diarrhea. Patients typically DO NOT have symptoms at night time. |
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Many of these patients may also be lactose intolerant. |
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Unlike Inflammatory Bowel Disease, these patients have
a normal hemoglobin and normal ESR (a blood test which is elevated if there is inflammation in the body). |
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The disease does not affect the life span but can make things
inconvenient for the patient. |
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One of the commonest feature of IBS is abdominal pain
relieved with a bowel movement. |
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Treatment includes taking a high fiber diet
and symptomatic treatment with antidiarrheal agents, judicious use of safe laxatives and
anti spasmodics (medicines which relieve pain by relieving bowel spasm). |
