Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS - Symptoms and Treatments in Children

In children, it is usually just two types of symptoms - diarrhea and pain. Aside from the symptoms already mentioned, IBS can cause headaches, pasty pallor, dizziness, limb pain and anorexia. The weight loss that occurs could be caused by the child not eating to avoid the pain.

To diagnose IBS, abdominal pain, discomfort, and then having relief at having a bowel movement or that the change in consistency or frequency of stools is associated with the onset of pain, must be observed for around at least twelve weeks in the next twelve months. There should also be no accompanying illness that could have caused the symptoms.

Some tests that the doctor may demand after performing a full physical examination, could include blood tests to eliminate the possibility of illnesses caused by inflammation or irritation, urinalysis for urinary tract infections, stool sample analysis to check for bacteria, or parasites that may cause diarrhea or occult blood that could be a sign of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

A test for lactose intolerance could also be employed, and rarely, abdominal x-ray and ultrasound to check the internal organs, as well as endoscopy to examine the inside part of a digestive tract.

Many people who have had IBS discover that it can't be cured or that it doesn't go away. A method to alleviate IBS exists though, and it is through a trial and error process of finding out the proper diet that could lessen the symptoms, as well as a change in lifestyle.

IBS in children is treated mainly by changing diet. More fiber and less fat is recommended to prevent spasms. However, this doesn't necessarily work for everyone, and the right formula has to be found. For example, in some children, a high-fat diet may be the cause, while low-fat diet may be the cause of IBS in other children. A sure way is to have them avoid eating big meals or too-spicy foods.

Children are also taught to empty their bowels at regular and scheduled times through the day. Laxatives aren't recommended, because children are more prone to drug addiction than adults. If laxatives are to be applied, parents have to follow a doctor's instructions carefully.