In the 21st century, people are marching towards development in every sector. Technology has empowered this development phase tremendously. New products are developed for bettering people’s living standards.
But, with upgrading lifestyle and ease of living, some unwanted things also rise. For example, even when development is at its peak, diseases and ailments rise rapidly due to unstoppable urbanization.
Scientists have discovered new deadly diseases and conditions, once thought to be unrealistic. One of these growing conditions is IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is a problem or condition found in a diagnosed person’s large intestine, causing pain in surrounding regions as well. Living With IBS is a challenge for people because of the unbearable pain if untreated for a long time.
Many infected people from the condition have a significant question that is life-threatening. They also live in uncertainty of how long they will survive. The following section unfurls important details about IBS, its symptoms, and how long a person lives with IBS.
Significant Symptoms Of IBS
One of the most noteworthy things about IBS is the tendency to develop the condition. Females are more vulnerable to this severe condition than men. Apart from this, people are more responsive to the condition at a young age. This condition can also develop due to severe depression or stress levels.
A person can know that they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome if they face the following symptoms.
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping or bloating regarding the passage of bowel
- Changes in the appearance of bowel movement
- Excess gas
- Diarrhea
- Changes in the frequency of having a bowel movement
However, the indications of IBS vary from person to person. The symptoms mentioned above are the most commonly found indications. Since the condition is long-lasting, the symptoms usually last for life.
Effect Of IBS On A Person’s Lifespan
Coming to the treatment and longevity of the condition, most people do not find IBS symptoms after ten years of diagnosis. Moreover, many people also witness impressive results of the diagnosis after one year of treatment.
The answer to the condition’s impact on people’s lifespan is not fixed. The condition lasts for a long time, with frequent entry and exit of symptoms. Some people might experience the disease for one day, with frequent symptoms on a regular basis.
On the other hand, people might sense signs of the problem changing daily without having IBS. There are various gastrointestinal conditions having similar symptoms as IBS. Therefore, it is difficult to judge whether life is shortened due to IBS or other GI disorders.
But, in a nutshell, studies have not proved that Irritable Bowel Syndrome has any life-threatening effects on people. It is a general condition that may vanish over time with essential medication or diagnosis.
Is There Any Relation Between Cancer & IBS?
Many people have a misconception about IBS that it is significantly related to cancer leading to a shortened lifespan. They think that colon cancer and IBS might be similar conditions. However, there are numerous differences between the two.
Both the diseases or ailments attack the same region, i.e., the intestine. The symptoms of colon cancer and IBS are also similar, like abdominal pain, fatigue, bloating, etc. But, IBS is not as severe as cancer. Research studies have shown that the syndrome cannot lead to other severe health illnesses, including colon cancer.
Diagnosis:
Treating or preventing IBS is more difficult due to the lack of full-fledged tests or diagnoses. There is not a universally accepted treatment for this gastrointestinal disorder. However, a person can go for various tests or checkups to rule out the possibilities of other severe diseases.
After testing for various severe ailments, a doctor will recommend or conduct the following tests to check for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Rome Criteria
This is a condition whereby the doctor tests for the lasting of abdominal pain within a limited duration. On the basis of pain lasting, the doctor adjudges whether there is IBS or not. It depends on the frequency of pain & uneasiness, stool uniformity, etc.
Type Of IBS
After conducting various tests, the doctor will categorize the patient’s IBS. There are majorly three kinds of IBS named constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant or mixed. After closely considering the symptoms, they can determine the patient’s degree of IBS.
People should not conclude that they have IBS merely by checking the symptoms as these signs can indicate other diseases. These signs include:
- IBS symptoms after age 50
- Weight loss
- Rectal bleeding
- Fever
- Nausea or repeated vomiting
- Unusual abdominal pain different from IBS
- Continuous diarrhea
- Anemia caused by iron deficiency
Extra Tests For IBS Checking
The following tests are also done to confirm the presence of IBS in a person.
- Colonoscopy is one of the most crucial tests a doctor will start with. In this test, a tiny tube is used to determine the total length of a colon.
- A doctor might also recommend a CT scan or X-ray to check for any type of cancer. The scan provides the patient with scanned images of the abdomen and pelvis. The advanced level of this scan includes a barium test which involves adding liquid to the intestine.
- An upper endoscopy is also a decent option that uses a long tube. It is put in the patient’s throat. The pipe interlinks the mouth and esophagus. This technique enables the doctor to keep a check on the digestive tract. They can check for bacteria presence, foreign compounds, or other severe illnesses.
- There are various laboratory tests conducted to check for the presence of IBS. One of these most significant tests is the lactose intolerance test. This check helps a doctor inspect whether the indigestion problem is occurring due to dairy products or due to IBS. If a person cannot produce lactose, they are more likely to have IBS. A doctor can suggest eliminating dairy products from the diet and checking for various possibilities.