Irritable Bowel Syndrome »

Irritable bowel syndrome (or irritable bowel) is the most common gastrointestinal disease in clinical practice. It is characterized by the association of abdominal pain and altered bowel habits ranging from constipation to diarrhea. It affects between 10% and 15% of the adult population, especially women. A study of the Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona seems to have found a possible explanation for this increased prevalence in females: the stress women are under in today’s society.

Irritable bowel syndrome digestive dysfunction is more common in the medical consultation. Its main symptoms are diarrhea and constipation, frequent and chronic, abdominal pain or tenderness that is relieved after stool, sensation of fullness, gas, bloating, vomiting, dizziness, loss of appetite, anxiety and depression. It is a condition that tends to become chronic, although there is no known single mechanism that explains it.

The most accepted theory regards the changes in the movement of digestive sensitivity influenced by psychological factors. It also accepted as factors influencing other disorders such as gastroenteritis, food intolerances, hormonal or genetic factors.

Although it can occur in anyone regardless of whether it is male or female, the vast majority of studies have found a higher prevalence in females (twice). However, no research has explained the reason for this difference. Now we have found some answers. A team of research group in Digestive Physiology, says that excess stress that affects women in society today could be the trigger that alters the proper physiological balance the intestine.

This difference resulted in a flawed response characterized by decreased secretion of water and a significant increase in mucosal permeability in the women’s group stressed. According to the researchers, these effects could reduce the ability of the intestine to remove harmful external agents, thus facilitating prolonged contact of these with the immune system and causing extreme inflammatory response. Under normal conditions this situation leads to diarrhea. The problem comes with the persistence of this response, which may represent the first stage in the development of irritable bowel syndrome.

Also, while recognizing the need for more comparative studies between genders, the researchers say the findings help to understand the greater female prevalence of this disease, which would facilitate the detection of people at risk of developing the disease and, therefore, establish prevention mechanisms to reduce the number of affected.

Worse quality of life
The spectrum of severity of irritable bowel syndrome is very variable, and can be found from mild discomfort to patients afflicted with disabling symptoms. In a 1992, researchers Doug Drossman (USA) and Grant Thompson (Canada) considered that about 70% of cases were mild, 25% intermediate and 5% severe. More recent studies, however, confirm that the prevalence rate is higher with more serious symptoms. Even so, this condition continues to be regarded by many as a trivial disorder.

And is that this disease is associated generally with a good prognosis and a life expectancy similar to that of patients without the disease. The issue is the worsening quality of life: social constraints absenteeism or reduced physical activity and a chronic sense since, in addition, there is still no definitive cure.

In fact, the best treatment is limited to relieving symptoms. Changes in diet (which does not always work) with increased fiber and reduction of substances that favor the emergence of the symptom (caffeine or alcohol, among others) and measures to reduce anxiety (such as exercise training, for example) are some of the measures to take. The drugs should be reserved for when the intensity of symptoms indicates, and are aimed at controlling the specific symptoms predominant. In this case, we tend to recommend spasms inhibitors (antispasmodic), stimulants of mobility, antidiarrheals, laxatives, antidepressants and anxiolytics.