20 to 40% of all patient visits to gastroenterologists are due to colon symptoms
However, the majority of patients are unaware that the cramps and other symptoms they suffer from may be related to the colon, and they treat them as perhaps due to a fatty meal or indigestion, and they take medications that relieve the symptoms, but with time the condition may worsen, so if you suffer from digestive symptoms, continue reading the article to learn more about irritable bowel syndrome, its most important symptoms, and how to distinguish them.
Early symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
The early symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are multiple and include common and less common signs, but they may be annoying for some patients. Among the less common symptoms are the following:
- Feeling a strange taste or feeling of bitterness in the mouth, which may be caused by acid reflux associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
- Changes in appetite, such as losing the desire to eat or feeling full quickly, even after the patient eats small amounts.
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia or frequent waking up for no apparent reason.
- Feeling slightly dizzy or unbalanced, especially after eating a heavy meal or during times of stress.
- The appearance of a rash or itching for no apparent reason due to the association of digestive system disorders with allergies and skin infections.
You can also learn about: What is the difference between irritable and digestive bowel syndrome?
Psychological symptoms of colon
The phrase “Your psychological comfort begins in your gut” is not without truth, as research has confirmed that irritable bowel syndrome may cause psychological symptoms, and vice versa, that is, stress may make colon symptoms worse.
Irritable bowel syndrome may cause the following symptoms:
- القلق.
- الاكتئاب.
- Suicidal thoughts (in cases of chronic colon syndrome that require the patient to be hospitalized for long periods, or if the patient is already diagnosed with depression).
- Excessive emotion and nervous irritability.
أعراض القولون العصبي خارج الجهاز الهضمي
It may seem surprising to some that irritable bowel syndrome does not only affect the digestive system. Rather, many of the symptoms that we encounter on a daily basis that do not seem to be related to the intestines are caused by irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable bowel syndrome may cause non-digestive symptoms, including:
- General and migraine headaches.
- Body, joint and muscle aches.
- A constant feeling of fatigue and stress, even with little physical effort.
- Back pain, especially on both sides.
- An urgent need to urinate (some scientists explain that the inability of an irritable bowel syndrome patient to empty the rectum of stool and pass gas causes pressure on the bladder and a desire to urinate even when it is not full).
- رائحة الفم الكريهة.
- تسارع نبضات القلب.
- Increasing pain in the pelvic area during menstruation or during intercourse.
Would you like to know what it is? Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in women؟
How do irritable bowel syndrome symptoms develop?
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome develop differently from one individual to another, and the severity of symptoms depends on many factors, including the following:
- Irritable bowel syndrome type.
- Stimulants: Some triggers can exacerbate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including stress and anxiety, some foods such as fatty and spicy foods, soft drinks, hormonal changes, and some medications.
- General health status affects the severity of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
In general, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms can develop, as symptoms begin mildly and gradually increase over time. Symptoms may become more severe at times and milder at other times. Symptoms may worsen as a result of the previously mentioned triggers. In some cases, irritable bowel syndrome may lead to complications such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, malnutrition, and psychological effects such as anxiety and depression.
How do I know that I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome?
If you suffer from most of the symptoms we mentioned previously, and they recur at least one day a week over a period of 3-6 months, then you may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, especially if your bowel movement (defecation) habits change, whether in the number of times or in the form of stool. This may be a strong indicator of irritable bowel syndrome.
In general, the doctor diagnoses irritable bowel syndrome based on the symptoms that the patient complains of and the period during which they recur. He may also request some tests, but to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and others.
When should you visit a doctor?
You should visit a doctor when signs of irritable bowel syndrome persist for a long time or when they get worse. It is important to go immediately to a doctor when unusual symptoms appear, such as unexplained weight loss, bleeding in the stool, or severe or increasing pain in the abdomen. You should also visit a doctor when noticeable changes in excretion occur. It is recommended to see a doctor when excessive bouts of constipation or diarrhea occur, especially if they are accompanied by various signs of dehydration such as decreased urination or dizziness. It is important to pay attention to any other various symptoms that indicate more serious problems with the digestive system, such as difficulty
After knowing what are the psychological and physical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, you can learn everything about it متلازمة القولون العصبي
Location of colon pain
The colon circles around the abdomen until it reaches the rectum. The colon contracts to move digested food and waste toward the rectum.
Some patients with irritable bowel syndrome complain of pain in the rectal area just above the anus. The pain is sharp and painful and may last for seconds or even a few minutes.
Colon pain occurs as a result of excessive contraction or due to constipation or gases that the patient usually cannot pass easily.
How do irritable bowel syndrome symptoms differ from one person to another?
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from one person to another based on a number of different factors, including the nature of each individual’s digestive system, the psychological stress to which he or she is exposed, in addition to the type of food the individual eats, along with the extent of the body’s sensitivity to various food components. Genetic factors play a major role in the severity of symptoms and response to various treatments. Some people may suffer from symptoms intermittently and mildly, but there are other cases that suffer from severe attacks that affect daily life. In some people, irritable bowel syndrome appears linked to various problems with the digestive system, thus increasing the symptoms and the way to deal with them.
Book your consultation now at مركز أمراض الجهاز الهضمي At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
How do I differentiate between stomach pain and colon pain?
Sometimes stomach pain caused by infection, food poisoning, indigestion, etc. is similar to colon pain, but they can be differentiated through the following differences:
- Stomach pain usually occurs in the upper or middle abdomen, while colon pain is often centered in the lower abdomen and pelvic area.
- Stomach pain is usually sudden, while colon pain recurs at intervals and may disappear and come back again.
- Stomach pain may be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, acidity, fever, or watery diarrhea in the case of gastroenteritis, while colon pain may be accompanied by bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or both.
- The cause of stomach pain may seem obvious, such as eating spoiled food, contaminated water, or eating acidic or spicy foods, while colon symptoms appear and persist for no apparent reason.
- Colon pain gets worse after eating and decreases after defecation and passing gas.
At the end of our article, we stress that it is important to know the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, so that you can change your eating habits to suit it, and thus live with it without affecting your life or hindering you from carrying out your daily tasks, and it is always better when you feel any unconventional symptom. استشارة الطبيبEarly diagnosis always prevents complications and helps speed up recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Where does colon pain start?
The patient's colon pain begins from the right side or the left side of the abdomen, and the patient may experience intermittent pain or constant pain. It is mentioned that there are types of colon, including upper, middle, and lower, and here the location of the pain varies according to the location of the affected colon.
How do I know that I am free from irritable bowel syndrome?
The presence or absence of an irritable bowel syndrome can be detected by visiting a specialist doctor and diagnosing the person, in which the symptoms that the person suffers from are detected and the doctor performs some necessary procedures and tests, including intestinal imaging or endoscopy.
Does colon cause headache and dizziness?
It has been revealed that the colon is linked to dizziness and headaches, and it is reported that usually irritable bowel syndrome does not cause these symptoms, but this does not prevent the existence of rare cases of irritable bowel syndrome that are linked to stress and psychological anxiety, which are accompanied by some symptoms, including dizziness and headaches. Here we can clarify that this comes as a result of psychological stress and not due to irritable bowel syndrome.
Does colon cause pain in the back and legs?
Indeed, irritable bowel syndrome results in pain in the back and legs, because the colon causes inflammation of the intestines, and here it stimulates the immune system to release cells that produce nerve signals that are transmitted to the patient’s brain, from which the brain responds to the feeling of pain in multiple areas, including the legs and joints.
المراجع والمصادر
