Dr Roger Henderson answers commonly asked questions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Dr Roger Henderson is a busy family doctor based in Shropshire.
Dr Henderson has been a medical columnist of the Sunday Times and has written regular columns for many newspapers and magazines including FHM, Sainsbury's, and Slimming magazine. He is currently the medical columnist for the Sunday Mirror, Woman's Own, Slimming magazine, Yours magazine and a number of other publications.
He is also a popular lecturer on stress, and has given seminars on this subject across the UK.
Q: What should you do if you think you are suffering from IBS?
A: Don't shy away from asking for advice. People often feel embarrassed or scared about seeking help when they experience bowel symptoms, but it is important that you see a doctor to confirm if it is, in fact, IBS.
Only around 50% of people with IBS ever consult a doctor1, which means many people are missing out on important information and advice on how to manage the condition. IBS can often be relatively easily self-managed once it has been diagnosed. There are convenient and effective treatment options available from pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as lifestyle adjustments that can help you to deal with your symptoms.
Q: Is IBS a serious condition?
A: If a doctor confirms that you have IBS, be reassured that it is not a life-threatening condition.
Nevertheless, it can cause considerable pain and discomfort. 50% of sufferers experience an IBS attack at least once a week and 80% suffer at least once a month. For two thirds of sufferers the episodes strike suddenly, with virtually no warning signs.
It is an extremely variable and unpredictable condition with some sufferers experiencing occasional mild symptoms, and others experiencing uncomfortable symptoms for relatively long periods. However, it is often the case that people will experience flare-ups from time to time, sometimes with mild symptoms and sometimes more severe symptoms.
Q: Can IBS cause other symptoms, which do not occur in the bowel?
A: IBS covers a range of symptoms which can vary greatly for person to person.
The most troublesome symptoms of IBS reported by sufferers are often abdominal cramps and spasms. Other common symptoms include bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.
There are also a wide range of other symptoms that are associated with IBS. For example, dyspepsia (heartburn), gynaecological (painful periods, pain after sexual intercourse and premenstrual tension), urinary (frequent and urgent urination), musculoskeletal (back pain), and psychological symptoms (depression and anxiety).2
1Care of patients with gastrointestinal disorders in the United Kingdom. A strategy for the future. British Society of Gastroenterology. March 2006
2Moriarty, K.J. 2004. Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The British Medical Association: Family Doctor Series.
