IBS can be found in a large percentage of the population around the world. It is more prevalent among women than men. It may onset during early adulthood. But it can develop at any age. This condition is also not well understood, with most cases not being diagnosed due to the perception of the condition as “normal digestion issues.”
IBS is a functional intestinal disease. Your gut may appear normal on tests. But it is not actually not well. It has various types according to your bowel patterns. Some find it difficult primarily with constipation, and some with diarrhea, and some with a combination of both,
It is essential to comprehend these types of IBS as they all have different behaviors and demand a slightly different approach to management.
1. IBS-C
IBS-C is a type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in which constipation is the primary issue, and gut pain is also present. According to data, 33.6% of patients with IBS have IBS-C. It is a chronic gut illness in which your bowel movements are either infrequent, hard, or lumpy. You can also experience abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating.
In IBS-C, your gut does not move normally. The intestines do not contract as quickly as they should. The stool remains in your colon longer, hence it becomes dry and hard.
One of the things to know is that IBS-C is different from normal constipation. In IBS-C, you will have constipation along with abdominal pain, gas, or bloating. However, in normal constipation, there is no discomfort or pain.
When over 25% of your stool is hard or lumpy and loose stool is rare, this indicates that you are suffering from IBS-C.
2. IBS-D
IBS-D is a form in which the primary symptom is diarrhea. During this situation, you have frequent bowel movements, often loose or watery. Also, you will feel the urge to go to the bathroom right away. In addition, you will find abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating.
In IBS-D, your gut is too active, e.g., your intestines contract quicker than usual. Food passes through the colon fast, and less water is absorbed in your body. This leads to loose stools or watery stools.
Regular diarrhea is usually short-term due to infection or food poisoning. But IBS diarrhea is chronic and results in recurrent abdominal pain. Here, Symptoms come and go during months or years, and pain tends to improve after a bowel movement.
If you are suffering from IBS-D, you should find your triggers and, in particular, high-FODMAP foods, as well as limit your consumption of caffeine and artificial sweeteners.
3. IBS-M or IBS-A
This is the most confusing type of IBS. In this type, you will also have constipation and diarrhea, and may alternate between the two. You will also deal with abdominal pain, bloating, or irregular digestion.
In some clinics, IBS-M is also known as IBS-A. IBS-A stands for alternating IBS. Both terms are equal in meaning. Doctors confirm the IBS-M when over 25% of your stool is hard/ lumpy, and 25% of your stool is loose/watery.
In IBS-M, you will be more sensitive to changes in diet. The bacteria in your gut will also have a different pattern. This is the reason you may react to the same food in different ways.
In IBS-M, there will be no structural damage to the intestines, and tests, such as a colonoscopy, may look normal.
The problem with IBS-M is that you cannot stick to a single diet. What works with one symptom can aggravate the other. So, your provider will adjust the treatment as per your needs.
4. IBS-U
IBS-U is the unclassified type of IBS. In this type, your symptoms are not classified as either IBS-C, IBS-D, or IBS-M. The symptoms exist, but they do not have a definite pattern. It may cause occasional constipation or loose stool, and sometimes normal-looking stool with pain and discomfort.
It is the less common type. Research indicates that it can be temporary, and patients may shift to BS-C, IBS-D, or IBS-M.
It is hard to diagnose properly, because there is no definite pattern of symptoms and it is more difficult to trace the triggers.
5. Post-Infectious IBS
It is a type that develops following a gut infection, such as food poisoning or stomach flu. It starts suddenly after the infection. Diarrhea and vomiting are common with this type of IBS.
Data shows that around 5-30% of individuals who experienced a serious gut infection have a risk of getting PI-IBS. It also occurs in females, individuals who have had long diarrhea during infection, and those who are stressed or anxious.
It will be confirmed by your doctor if you have a known history of a GI infection or develop new symptoms of IBS within 6 months of infection after excluding other causes, including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or ongoing infections.
IBS Diagnosis
IBS is mostly diagnosed by your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will check if you have abdominal pain lasting a week that is associated with bowel changes.
The best criteria to use in diagnosing IBS is by using Rome IV criteria. This is because it is accepted globally as the best criterion to use in diagnosing IBS. Studies have shown that the Rome IV criteria is accurate in predicting IBS by 65-70% without requiring any further testing.
Under this criterion, your healthcare provider will check if you have:
- Recurring abdominal pain for at least 1 day a week in the last 3 months
- Look for changes in stool frequency
- Change in stool color or shape
- These symptoms must also have started at least 6 months prior to diagnosis.
Additionally, there will be some tests carried out to rule out other possibilities, such as blood tests, stool tests, or even a colonoscopy.
IBS Treatment
Because of different types of IBS, there is no single treatment used in IBS treatment. Your treatment for IBS can include some medications and supplements, and some healthy lifestyle habits.
Medications that can be used to treat IBS include some for constipation and some for diarrhea.
For IBS-C patients, medications such as Lubiprostone, Linaclotide, and Plecanatide, and laxatives can be used to treat constipation.
For IBS-D patients, medications that can be used include Loperamide, bile acid binders, and eluxadoline.
Besides medications and supplements for IBS treatment, some healthy lifestyle habits can be very useful to treat IBS. Some of these healthy lifestyle habits include drinking plenty of water and fiber, especially for IBS-C patients, and drinking plenty of water and avoiding foods that trigger diarrhea for IBS-D patients.
Regular exercises and stress management techniques can be very effective in IBS treatment. Your healthcare provider will decide the best medications and strategies based on your symptoms and history.
Conclusion
These types of IBS are usually similar in symptoms but have different bowel patterns. You need to be able to differentiate each type to recognize these patterns. If you’re unsure which of the types of IBS you have, try to track your stool pattern for 2 weeks and note your food, stress, and sleep.
Luckily, many IBS treatments and follow-ups may be covered by insurance, especially if you live in Texas. It completely depends on your health insurance plan.
At Kairos Integrative Care, Lola, one of our integrative nurse practitioners, identifies the cause of IBS and decides the right course of treatment
We accept major insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, and more.
New patients are always welcome, and if visiting the clinic isn’t possible, telemedicine appointments are available across the entire state of Texas.
Book your appointment today!
