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What Women Must Know About IBS
What Causes IBS?
Experts don't completely understand what causes IBS symptoms. Some think that IBS is a problem of bowel motility—the muscles or nerves to the bowels work abnormally—affecting the movement of stool. But some studies don't show that the poor bowel motility correlates with symptoms. Also, drugs that alter motility don't seem to benefit most people with IBS.
Newer studies suggest that in IBS, the colon is hypersensitive and overreacts to neurotransmitters, chemical messengers in the brain. Instead of slow, rhythmic muscle contractions, the bowel reacts by promoting or preventing muscle contractions, which can cause diarrhea, pain or constipation.
A number of substances or chemicals that regulate the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and GI tract may be involved. Some theories suggest that there is a hormonal component to IBS, as it occurs in women much more frequently than in men. So far, studies have not borne this out.
Newer studies suggest that in IBS, the colon is hypersensitive and overreacts to neurotransmitters, chemical messengers in the brain. Instead of slow, rhythmic muscle contractions, the bowel reacts by promoting or preventing muscle contractions, which can cause diarrhea, pain or constipation.
A number of substances or chemicals that regulate the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and GI tract may be involved. Some theories suggest that there is a hormonal component to IBS, as it occurs in women much more frequently than in men. So far, studies have not borne this out.
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