It is quite embarrassing for me to start this article by disclosing here that I used to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, without much doubt the most common among gastrointestinal disorders. It's even more abashing to say that my particular symptom was one which shifted invariably between diarrhea and constipation. The constant swinging between these two conditions made treatment of my irritable bowel syndrome very difficult. Had it been constipation alone, some laxatives could have quickly remedied my case.

Irritable bowel syndrome - or IBS - involves the colon and a loss of coordination in the pressure waves that move through it. Consequently, the P-waves become erratic, straying from their supposed normal course. This, then, hinders waste from passing through the digestive system at the regular rate of movement. Contrary to some notions, IBS is not a disease in itself; rather, it's a mere bodily-system disorder that will not injure the intestines and will not progress into a serious disease (for example, cancer). Also, as some people are wont to believe, IBS is not the same as colitis, the latter being an inflammatory disease of the colon.

Typical IBS symptoms include bloating (gas levels are usually normal nevertheless), abdominal pain (not usually distressing during sleep), and swings between diarrhea and constipation (like my erstwhile case). These symptoms may exist or progress for several days, or even months; and then, they disappear for months at a time.

Symptoms of IBS can closely imitate those of other diseases. Therefore, until organic disease is taken away as a possible cause, it will be difficult to pass an accurate diagnosis. This is when laboratory tests of feces, X-rays, or endoscopy may be absolutely needed. The lack of sufficient capacity to digest lactose, or milk sugar, should be eliminated as well.

Often, discomforts associated with IBS appear during bouts of stress. For this reason, many health experts suggest that emotional disturbance is a principal contributing cause of the disorder. Psychological counseling may be useful in this regard.

Some foods may also contribute to the worsening of the IBS sufferer's woes. A diet high in fiber can certainly help, especially if the IBS symptom is constipation. There is no definite treatment for irritable bowel syndrome that is effective under all conditions. Two things are considered important in the handling of this condition: to bring down its symptoms to a level that's tolerable; and to keep sufferers apprised of their condition and comfort them in order to play down their psychological distress.

If you've been struggling to cope with the pain and discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome, then it's a relief to know that there are easy-to-follow and effective daily actions you can take to be in control of your IBS symptoms. Know the IBS Relief Secret and gain control of your IBS and your life.