| Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive
disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and
constipation--or some combination of these problems. IBS affects people of
all ages, including children.
IBS is classified as a functional disorder because it is caused by a
problem in how the intestines, or bowels, work. People with IBS tend to
have overly sensitive intestines that have muscle spasms in response to
food, gas, and sometimes stress. These spasms may cause pain, diarrhea,
and constipation.
In children, IBS tends to be either diarrhea-predominant or
pain-predominant. Diarrhea-predominant IBS is most common in children
under age 3. The diarrhea is usually painless and alternates with bouts of
constipation. These children usually have fewer than five stools a day,
and the stools tend to be watery and soft. Pain-predominant IBS mainly
affects children over age 5. In the younger children the pain tends to
occur around the navel area, and in older children, in the lower left part
of the abdomen. The pain is crampy and gets worse with eating and better
after passing stool or gas.
In addition to the symptoms described above, children with IBS may also
have headache, nausea, or mucus in the stool. Weight loss may occur if a
child eats less to try to avoid pain. Some children first develop symptoms
after a stressful event, such as teething, a bout with the flu, school
problems, or problems at home. Stress does not cause IBS, but it can
trigger symptoms.
To diagnose IBS, the doctor will ask questions about symptoms and
examine the child to rule out the possibility of more serious problems or
diseases. IBS is not a disease--it is a syndrome, or group of symptoms
that occur together. It does not damage the intestine, so if the physical
exam and other tests show no sign of disease or damage, the doctor may
diagnose IBS.
In children, IBS is treated mainly through changes in diet--eating more
fiber and less fat to help prevent spasms--and through bowel training to
teach the child to empty the bowels at regular, specific times during the
day. Medications like laxatives are rarely prescribed because children are
more susceptible to addiction than adults. When laxatives are necessary,
parents must follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Learning stress
management techniques may help some children.
More information is available from
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders
P.O. Box 17864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Tel: (414) 964-1799
or (888) 964-2001
E-mail: iffgd@iffgd.org
Home page: www.iffgd.org/
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