What e the risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome?
Eating causes contractions of the colon, normally causing an urge to have a bowel movement within 30 to 60 minutes after a meal. Fat in the diet can cause contractions of the colon following a meal. With IBS, however, the urge may come sooner, accompanied by cramps and diarrhea. Some kinds of food and drink appear to play a key role in triggering IBS attacks. Food and drink that healthy people can ingest without any trouble may disrupt peristalsis in IBS patients, which probably explains why IBS attacks often occur shortly after meals. Chocolate, milk products, caffeine (in coffee, tea, colas, and other drinks), and large quantities of alcohol are some of the chief culprits. Other kinds of food have also been identified as problems, however, and the pattern of what can and cannot be tolerated is different for each person. Characteristically, IBS symptoms rarely occur at night and disrupt the patient’s sleep. Stress stimulates colonic spasm in people with IBS. Although not completely un