Constant tummy aches? You may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome 

Most people dismiss abdominal pain as a mere stomachache, thinking the pain is due to something they ate. Chances are, it might already be something worse.

 

If the pain is accompanied by bloating, gas, and a change in bowel movements, this may already be irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. This is one of the most frequent causes of recurrent abdominal pain associated with significant disability and healthcare costs, according to Dr. Marichona Naval, president of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology.

 

Based on a survey of gastrointestinal diseases done by the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, the incidence of IBS is as high as eight to 10 percent in the Philippines.

 

Naval warned that while the symptoms are basically benign, it is important to recognize the so-called red flag signs.

 

Beware the red flags

 

If the patient is over 50, male, with a short history of weight loss, night symptoms, a family history of colon cancer, rectal bleeding, and recent antibiotic use, he must consult with a doctor immediately, Naval said during the Otilonium bromide media launch held on March 13 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Quezon City.

 

Even without the red flag signs, it is advised that a doctor be consulted, as IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that can be greatly uncomfortable.   

"IBS symptoms cause pain and impair quality of life," said Prof. Pere Clavé, president of the European Society for Swallowing Disorder, and international councilor of the American Dysphagia Research Society.

 

Clave emphasized IBS is treatable but not curable. "We don't know the exact origin, so we cannot cure the patient. But we can treat the symptoms," he said.

 

"IBS is a chronic disease. It's a long term disease. You can have it for life," said Dr. Jimmy Bautista, director for medical and scientific affair for A. Menarini Philippines, Inc.

 

Bautista shared that he himself has had IBS since he was in high school.

 

In Asia, one in 10 people suffer IBS. But most sufferers do not seek medical help, since awareness of IBS is low. 

 

In the Philippines, Naval said the number of IBS sufferers is increasing, now that there is a campaign for awareness and education. 

 

More common in women

 

"This rate of eight to 10 percent may actually be higher based on consulting in clinics," said Naval, who noted IBS is twice as common in women as in men.

 

"It's a mixture of motility disorder with psycho-social disorders causing visceral hypersensitivity, meaning patients perceive stimuli as more intense," said Clave, explaining why females are more likely to experience IBS.

 

"Normally you don't perceive the digestion, but patients with IBS can perceive each step of digestion. The threshold for pain is much lower," Clave added.

 

On the other hand, this can be good, since women are also more likely to voice out their pain. "So they have a bigger tendency to consult with practitioners," Naval said.

 

Awareness and recognition of the symptoms are very important prior to treatment, Naval said.

 

"You have the ABCs of IBS," Bautista said. The main IBS symptoms are abdominal pain, bloating, and a change in bowel movements. 

 

Otilonium bromide is key

 

Those who suffer IBS experience these symptoms for at least three days a month for the last three months. According to Naval, IBS symptoms can be controlled with stress management, diet, and medication such as Otilonium bromide.

 

"Abdominal pain is the main symptom of IBS, thus antispasmodics play a significant role in its management," Naval said.

 

Clave explained that the spasmolytic drug reduces the main IBS symptoms by smoothing muscle spasms in the large intestine.

 

"In the first week, you could already see some downward movement of the symptoms," Bautista said, adding that the ideal treatment lasts for 15 weeks to prevent relapse.

 

Bautista added that Otilonium bromide is safe, as 97.5 percent is excreted. "The absorption is minimal," he said.

 

When it comes to preventive measures, Clave said it would be good to avoid stress. "Today it is very difficult to avoid stress. Everybody is under pressure," he said.

 

While diet does not cause IBS, it can affect its symptoms. "It's not something related to the origin but in fact some aspects of the diet can reduce symptoms in patients with IBS," Clave said.

 

Naval added that it would help to identify the diet that predisposes people to IBS. "If you identify the diet, like dairy products, and then you can probably prevent IBS," she said.  —KDM/KG, GMA News