April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Month

--General Health Clinic
April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month. General Health in Hopkins, Missouri encourages you to contact your healthcare professional with any questions or concerns.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder with worldwide prevalence rates ranging from 9–23% and U.S rates generally in the area of 10–15%. Functional disorders are conditions where there is an absence of structural or biochemical abnormalities on common diagnostic tests, which could explain symptoms.
A significant proportion – 35% to 40% – of individuals who report IBS in the community are male. Approximately 60% to 65% of individuals who report IBS in the community are female.
IBS is a major women's health issue. Data reveals an increased risk of unnecessary surgery for extra-abdominal and abdominal surgery in IBS patients. For example, hysterectomy or ovarian surgery has been reported in female patients with IBS as high as 47% to 55% and has been performed more often in the IBS patient than in comparison groups.
Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by symptoms of abdominal discomfort or pain, usually in the lower abdomen (although the location and intensity are variable, even at different times within the same person), and altered bowel habit (change in frequency or consistency) – chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both – either mixed or in alternation.
Abdominal pain has been reported as primarily crampy or a generalized ache with superimposed periods of abdominal cramps, although sharp, dull, gas-like, or nondescript pains are also common. The abdominal discomfort or pain are usually relieved with a bowel movement.
Some or all of IBS symptoms can occur at the same time – some symptoms may be more pronounced than others. Symptoms can vary and sometimes seem contradictory, such as alternating diarrhea and constipation.
The symptoms of IBS are produced by abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel. In IBS there is no evidence of a structural disease, yet, something – a "dysregulation" between the brain, the gut, and the central nervous system – causes the bowel to become "irritated," or overly sensitive to stimuli. Symptoms may occur even in response to normal events.
General Health Clinic welcomes most major insurances along with Medicare and Medicaid. Payments by cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted. The clinic is located at the junction of highways 148 and JJ in Hopkins, Missouri. Appointments can be made by calling 660-778-3209.
Source: http://www.aboutibs.org/