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The Most Common Causes of IBS

Many individuals suffer from something known as "irritable bowel syndrome," which is often shortened to IBS. This disease is something that a lot of people deal with, and it involves chronic issues with the digestive system. Women, as it turns out, are two times more likely to experience IBS, which might actually offer some insight as to what things cause this type of syndrome. While IBS isn't a life-threatening disease, it can be something that seriously messes up your day from time to time. Those that deal with it, however, are able to successfully manage its effects by making relatively simple changes to their diets and/or lifestyles. While the exact causes of IBS are not known quite yet, there are a few things that are understood about what foods and activities might bring about its symptoms.

The most common symptoms of IBS involve things like flatulence, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Since IBS is a "syndrome," its effects are different from individual to individual. Everyone experiences it in a unique way, but in almost every case, it's agreed that IBS results from a serious miscommunication between the brain and the digestive system. Your brain, as you might very well know, is responsible for sending the signals throughout your body which help your digestive system process the food you eat. When these signals get messed up, the symptoms of IBS are often experienced.

Every time you finish eating some food, your brain sends messages down to your stomach and intestines that tell those muscles to push your food through your digestive system. A person who suffers from IBS, however, might experience a problem in the types of signals that get sent. This can cause these muscles to overact. When this happens, you will experience cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. If these muscles work too slowly, on the other hand, you will be more likely to experience constipation.

Scientists also think that hormones have something to do with IBS, as women are much more likely to experience its symptoms whilst menstruating. Food can also bring about the symptoms of IBS, by causing your body to react inappropriately to the things you eat. Foods like dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and sugar will often help set off symptoms associated with IBS. It is worth mentioning is the fact that most of these foods are not important to a healthy diet, and should only be enjoyed in moderation.

While no real cause of IBS has been determined, it's clear that living a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to ward off the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Focus on natural, healthy foods, and make sure to get a lot of exercise. You can also try things like meditation to reduce stress, as this is something else that will typically exacerbate IBS. Your digestive system can be a very delicate thing, especially if you suffer from IBS. Knowing what will bring on its symptoms, though, will allow you to avoid upsetting your stomach and live a stress-free, healthy life.