Hemas Hospitals sheds light on least-understood IBS syndrome

The month of May has been designated as ‘Gastro-Intestinal Month’ in the global healthcare calendars and Hemas Hospitals in recognising this has decided to enlighten people on a very common but least understood intestinal disorder. 

Consultant Surgeon and Visiting Consultant at Hemas Hospitals Dr. Chandika Liyanage outlines the symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the disorder and symptoms, while urging people who have it to start treatment and correcting their dietary habits in order to overcome the abnormality.

In describing the chronic but treatable disorder, Dr. Chandika Liyanage, who is also a Senior Lecturer in Surgery at the North Colombo Teaching Hospital and North Colombo Liver Transplantation Service, explained that stomach pain, bloating and abnormal bowel movements coupled with chronic diarrhoea, constipation or both are the most common symptoms. 

“Each patient has their own patterns,” revealed Dr. Liyanage, adding that Hemas Hospitals with its specialised focus on gastro-intestinal medical and healthcare is fully equipped to treat this syndrome.

“IBS can affect anyone at any age, but it commonly first develops in young adults and teenagers and is twice as common in women as in men,” said Dr. Liyanage, adding that symptoms could be pain that ‘comes and goes,’ bloating and swelling of your abdomen, passing stools several times a day, and a feeling of not emptying your rectum after going to the toilet. A morning rush is common where you feel an urgent need to go to the toilet several times shortly after getting up, during and after breakfast.

Dr. Liyanage was categoric however that passing blood with stools is not a symptom of IBS. “You should tell a doctor if you pass blood,” he cautioned. 

In describing possible treatment, Dr. Liyanage clarified that simply understanding IBS would help patients be less anxious about the condition, which may ease the severity of symptoms. Symptoms often settle for long periods without any treatment. In some cases, symptoms are mild and do not require treatment.

“Although as many as one in five adults have signs and symptoms of IBS, only a handful seek medical help,” revealed Dr. Liyanage. “Yet it is important to see your doctor if you have a persistent change in bowel habits or if you have any other signs or symptoms of IBS because these may indicate a more serious condition, such as colon cancer” which should be detected early.

Symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition include, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain that progresses or occurs at night, weight loss. Your doctor may be able to help you find ways to relieve symptoms as well as rule out colon conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Your doctor can also help you avoid possible complications from problems such as chronic diarrhoea.

In most people with IBS, the condition tends to persist long-term. However, the severity of symptoms tends to ‘wax and wane’ and you may have long spells without any symptoms, or with only mild symptoms. Treatment can often help to ease symptoms when they flare-up. In some cases symptoms clear for good at some stage.

“IBS does not shorten your expected lifespan, nor does it lead to cancer of the bowel or cause blockages of the gut or other serious conditions,” summed up Dr. Liyanage.