What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Dr Tan Chi Chiu discusses the main symptoms associated with this common gastrointestinal disorder
The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are very common, says Dr Tan Chi Chiu. They include abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating or cramps and they are often associated with changes in bowel habits or stool form. A patient may also complain of either loose stools or diarrhoea, constipation or hard and pellet-like stools or they may have alternating hard and loose stools.
Many patients feel that these symptoms are so intense that they interfere with life and work. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the largest causes of economic loss due to medical downtime and treatment and it may comprise up to 50 percent of referrals that a gastroenterologist may see because it is very common. In some communities the incidence of irritable bowel syndrome may be as high as 15 or 20 percent.
The important thing to know about irritable bowel syndrome is that it is not a serious disease.
The syndrome occurs more in women than in men and it can affect any age group. Children as young as eight or nine may have the condition as well as patients who are much older. To diagnose it, doctors spend a lot of time asking patients to describe the symptoms in great detail, analysing the pattern and the different aspects of the symptoms and their relationship with stool and stool habit.Physicians also do a clinical examination to make sure that there is no obvious external evidence of disease in either the digestive system or any other bodily system.
Symptoms that are more worrying, potentially being sign of conditions that are more dangerous than irritable bowel syndrome, include vomiting, severe pain, and appearance of blood, loss of weight, general tiredness and lethargy. These symptoms need to be taken much more seriously.
Dr Tan Chi Chiu is a clinical gastroenterologist, hepatologist and specialist in internal medicine at Gastroenterology and Medicine International. He can be reached at +65 6471 2212.
Related Articles
“Tidal wave” of cancer predicted
WHO predicts doubling of annual cancer cases by year 2034
Read moreYou Ask, They Answer: Opioid Addiction
Patients with personality disorders, depression, anxiety or a history of alcohol or drug abuse are at high risk of opioid addiction
Read moreWorried about medical bills?
Mount Elizabeth Hospitals says patients can obtain a clear breakdown of their medical bills beforehand along with the coverage of several insurance options
Read moreLatest Articles
Medical Care
Achieving Swift Recovery: Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement
Consider total hip replacement with Alps Orthopaedic Centre's ERAS Direct Anterior Approach for faster recovery and reduced hospital stays. Learn about Dr. Jerry Chen's expertise in Singapore.
Read moreMedical Care
Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) Total Knee Replacement
Discover how Alps Orthopaedic Centre's Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach transforms total knee replacement into a day surgery, offering faster recovery, less pain, and reduced hospital bills. Learn about Dr. Jerry Chen's expertise and schedule your appointment in Singapore.
Read moreMedical Care
Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP): The Emerging of Exercise is Medicine
How Exercising can be a Medicine
Read more
