Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Woman Ibs Pain Location:

woman ibs pain location

Diverticulitis is the infection or inflammation of small pouches that form in the lining of the digestive system. These pouches, known as the diverticula, are found in the lower part of the large intestine. They are not harmful, but when one or more diverticula becomes infected or inflamed, it can result in pain and other symptoms. One study found that one-third of women who have IBS also have long-lasting pelvic pain. Endometriosis is painful and can cause extreme discomfort, serious PMS symptoms, and even infertility. A descending or drooping of the pelvic floor organs, pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues that hold the pelvic organs in place become weak or loose.

“Living with IBS is about more than just managing symptoms, it’s about reclaiming control over your life. It’s about understanding that every challenge we face is an opportunity to learn more about our bodies and how to care for them Click here to read more...

Certain limitations should be considered when interpreting the findings of this study. Participants self-selected into the study, which means the findings may be subject to certain biases. In particular, individuals with negative healthcare experiences may have been more motivated to take part.

Other symptoms that are often related include sensation of incomplete evacuation and increased gas or mucus in the stool. IBS seems to affect more women than men, and they are more likely to experience more symptoms while menstruating. Some people feel bloated after eating and develop upper abdominal pain. IBS can cause pain in an area of your abdomen, but it mainly affects the lower part. The brain’s ability to modify sensations is called the gate control theory of pain. Signals that travel from the body to the brain pass through the spinal cord, which can serve as a kind of ‘gate’.

“The journey to managing IBS begins with a single step. It’s about embracing the power of dietary changes, stress management, and medical treatments. Remember, health is wealth, and your well-being is worth every effort Click here to read more...

Doctors mainly rely on abdominal pain and its relationship to meals and bowel movements to diagnose IBS. Many participants discussed structural issues within the Irish healthcare system as barriers to receiving effective care. The perceived importance of self-advocacy when engaging with HCPs was evident throughout the interviews. Participants felt there is an onus of self-care to be borne by patients who are unable to rely on HCPs for care and support. Despite significant and wide-ranging impacts of pain on the lives of participants, many reported not wanting to go to their doctor until their symptoms were ‘bad enough’ (P05). For many, this was due to the expectation that their concerns would be dismissed.

woman ibs pain location

IBS pain or discomfort is related to the way the bowels move. You may need imaging procedures to rule out conditions involving inflammation or abnormal growths in your GI tract. Experts do not fully understand what causes IBS, so they do not yet know why it is more common in females. Anxiety and depression are also more common in females overall than in males, which may explain why IBS is, too. There are several pharmacotherapy studies that have suggested that women may respond better to some medications for IBS compared to men, and some medications for IBS are only approved for use in women. This information is in no way intended to replace the guidance of your doctor.We advise seeing a physician whenever a health problem arises requiring an expert’s care.

“Managing IBS isn’t just about treating symptoms, it’s about addressing the root cause. It’s about building a lifestyle that promotes gut health and overall well-being. Remember, a healthy gut is the key to a healthy life Click here to read more...

Abdominal pain is one of the best known symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). What it feels like, how it’s triggered, and exactly where it’s located can vary from person to person. Additionally, studies show that the severity of IBS symptoms a woman experiences may be influenced by female sex hormones. The doctor will work out the causes of your abdominal pain by noting down your symptoms and medical history, performing a physical exam, and conducting tests if needed. You will be asked questions about the type of pain you are experiencing and if you have any physical or mental health issues that may be contributing to your condition.

More research is needed in this area to more fully understand how pregnancy affects IBS. IBS doesn’t cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer. Abdominal pain is one blog of the most common symptoms of IBS, but researchers don’t know the exact cause. Healthcare professionals can help provide a diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment based on your symptoms.

“Embrace the journey of managing IBS. It’s about understanding that the road to health is often paved with challenges. But remember, it’s these challenges that shape us, that make us stronger, that make us healthier Click here to read more...

All of that pain in your abdominal area is no joke, and if you find yourself exhausted whenever a flare-up happens, it’s not a coincidence. Fatigue is a frequent symptom of IBS, and some evidence shows that it might affect women more than men. Women with IBS will likely also experience abdominal pain and bloating that often go hand in hand with being constipated. All drugs have side effects and may affect people differently. Tell your doctor about any over-the-counter medicines you take.

Additionally, NSAIDs appear to have negative effects on IBS patients, with research showing a link between frequent use of NSAID and the development of IBS symptoms. If you’re used to popping a pill to relieve IBS pain, then it may be time to rethink your treatment options. While the exact cause or reason is unknown, one theory is that it’s the result of the relationship between the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system’ also known as the gut-brain axis. The brain doesn’t just receive information about pain; it can also influence information from the gut. When oversensitized nerves in the gut start miscommunicating with the brain, it may cause the brain to overestimate or modify the information coming from the gut’causing more pain to be registered. This explanation for increased pain is called the gate control theory of pain.

OTC pain relief may be useful for some people but can worsen some IBS symptoms. People may wish to try OTC pain relief medications and stop using them if their symptoms worsen. If your IBS causes diarrhea, doctors will usually put you on a low-FODMAP diet to determine what foods might be triggering to you. Keep in mind that you don’t have to have diarrhea and/or constipation all the time to have IBS.

One participant discussed how the disruption her symptoms caused was amplified by how her initial doctor emphatically advised their normality, giving her ‘weapons to flay [her]self with’ (P07). Stomach pain gets triggered by gas, acidity, food or constipation, or even gallstones and injury to the surrounding areas. Pain resulting from food-related problems is not harmful and improves with time and medication. These symptoms indicate a disruption of the normal functioning of an organ or area of tissue inside the abdomen. In case of appendicitis or any abnormalities of the intestines, such as malrotation, this quadrant may feel tender and hurt. Get the care you need from world-class medical providers working with advanced technology.

You just have to be experiencing these symptoms frequently over an extended period of time. Some conditions can be hard to diagnose, especially if they have a wide range of symptoms that show up in different ways. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is one of those tricky conditions. No, IBS doesn’t put article source you at higher risk of developing conditions such as colitis, Crohn’s disease or colon cancer. Researchers categorize IBS based on how your stools (poop) look on the days when you’re having symptom flare-ups. Most people with IBS have normal bowel movements on some days and abnormal ones on others.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is when an organ in the pelvis moves out of position and protrudes into the vagina. POP is more common in people with chronic constipation, which can be a symptom of IBS. The overall treatment approach for IBS is similar in people of all sexes, though some medications may be more effective in women compared to men.

In contrast, some participants highlighted that societal perceptions of women’s pain acted as an impediment to them accessing care. For example, one participant described how the absence of discussion around menstruation when she was growing up impacted how she sought healthcare assistance for her pain. Social support facilitated participants in their fight for care, particularly support and encouragement from other women. Mothers assisted participants in advocating for themselves and were sometimes described as being the driving force behind their care. Many participants also received informational and emotional support from friends. Other women, including strangers, were described as playing pivotal roles in participants’ self-advocacy journeys.

Sometimes chest pain can be a symptom of a more serious condition, like coronary artery disease, though, for people with IBS, chest pain may be a symptom of trapped gas. You may experience symptoms unrelated to IBS, like headaches, joint and muscle pain, dysuria, painful sexual intercourse, active chest and back pain, and chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia is a common disease (1% of the general population). If you have fibromyalgia, you will experience pain in muscles, tendons, and joints. Some people with IBS describe pain in the hip bones, pain down the legs, and pain in the tailbone.

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