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Detect the Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children

By William Wallace

In the Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, the organ that is affected is the colon, or large intestine, the place where the body through the digestive system sends the residuals that form the stools before eliminating them.

Since this condition is termed to as syndrome, it is characterized with various symptoms for which the root causes are not known.

Although it is relatively prevalent among Americans, there is still no crucial evidence found that would help produce effective treatments. Lack of research is often thought of as the main reason why there is not enough knowledge concerning Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

In the research industry, only those life-threatening conditions often received immediate attention. Since Irritable Bowel syndrome is a chronic condition and does not pose threats to the life of the patient, it is set off for later research. Add to this the fact that this condition is a functional disorder which further complicates the lack of viable treatment.

Functional disorder is often associated with subjective sensations and symptoms for which quantifiable measures cannot be administered. Say for pain, there is no objective factor that can be studied for pain of irritable Bowel Syndrome unlike with painful ulcer for which damage in the tissues of the intestines can be seen.

Characteristic to a functional disorder is the fact that a physical manifestation of the condition usually is not present. Only the function of the digestive system is perverted, more specifically the colon. The colon muscles are very sensitive, both in children and in adults, which means that if a substance is introduced that is not tolerated by the system, it can create negative effects.

To explain why there is this lack of knowledge regarding the cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome we have to take into consideration also the several ways it is experienced by patients. We have a diarrhea-dominated Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and we have constipation-dominated IBS. For clarification these types should be studied distinctively.

Adults over the age of 20 are more likely to be subjects of this disorder, but the children can also be affected. Nonetheless, the signs are milder and present minimal signs. Frequently, a more serious diarrhea or constipation is considered wrongly as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, that is why it is important to go to a physician as soon as possible IBS symptoms are detected on a child.

The two basic signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome amid kids are constipation and diarrhea (or an alternation of both) and crampy pain inside the abdominal part.

Diarrhea is the abrupt alteration of the bowel movements frequency. Usually, there is also present a powerful urge to eliminate stool, which normally leads to incontinence. We can characterize diarrhea as fluid stool, which in theory should be easier to evacuate. Halfway evacuation could additionally be felt and it is necessary to eliminate right away after the first bowel movement.

For this case, parents are advised to assist in the whole process to avoid complications. Diarrhea can lead to complications like dehydration or loss of substantial water in the body. Please seek medical advice once this is observed.

However, constipation means the stool is compact and hard to eliminate through the anus. Doctors usually recommend in these situations dietary fiber to be added in the diet to add bulk to the stool. In case this is the main symptom for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you should check to see if the child has omitted any bowel movements during the last days.

You need not be fearful of irritable bowel syndrome in your child. It does not post direct threat to the general health of your kid since it is a chronic condition. However, to avoid aggravated discomfort, it is best that he is treated earlier. - 26706

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