IBS is a functional disorder. Although the digestive tract looks normal, it’s not functioning as it should. The muscles in the gut carry food from the stomach to the rectum. Typically, they contract and relax in gentle rhythms that move food on a fairly predictable schedule. But for some people, the muscles in the gut spasm. This means the contractions are longer and stronger than normal. Those cramps are painful. They also disrupt the movement of food through the gut. If they slow down, you’ll be constipated. If they cause it to move too fast, you’ll get diarrhea. It’s not uncommon for people to alternate between the two. Another source of discomfort in IBS patients is hypersensitivity of nerve endings in the digestive tract. Small bubbles that don’t bother most people can be very painful. Your increased sensitivity can also cause swelling and bloating.
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September January 14, 2022
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/all-content. Accessed August 22, 2022.
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