Complications of Untreated Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome may not be as serious as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but when neglected, this condition can seriously affect the quality of life. It is very important to offer these symptomatic and supportive treatments because this condition can make the patient very uncomfortable and incapable of carrying out their normal day to day activities. When this condition is neglected, it can lead to several complications. Here are some complications of untreated IBS with predominant constipation; [4]
- Anal fissures: constant constipation is a cause of anal fissures. These tears in the anus are usually difficult to heal in a person with IBS-C because the constipation keeps reoccurring. Anal fissures are very painful, itchy and may bleed from time to time.
- Hemorrhoids: this is caused by straining when passing out faeces. Hemorrhoids refer to swollen and inflamed veins in the rectal area. They can rupture and bleed heavily.
- Rectal prolapse: this refers to a condition where the rectum exits the anus resulting in leakage of mucus through the anus. It is a common condition in people who suffer from chronic constipation.
- Anxiety and depression: chronic health conditions can cause anxiety and may even lead to depression in patients. This is also true in patients with IBS. The patient may develop fear of being in public places or leaving the house because of the difficulty it may pose when they need to find a bathroom. They can also experience anxiety as a result of their symptoms and become worried after eating or even before every meal.
The patient could also be worried about complications that may arise from the condition.
- Malnourishment: the aggressive change in diet as a result of IBS may cause malnutrition. The patient may begin to avoid a lot of healthy foods that usually aggravate the symptoms leading to deficiency in several essential nutrients needed by the body. This is the major cause of weight loss and many diseases in people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Some complications of untreated Diarrhea predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome include;
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Electrolyte imbalances: constant diarrhea will result in the loss of electrolytes from the body, which can become a serious condition if it is not handled properly.
- Dehydration and many other complications.
References:
[1] http://https/www.healthline.com/health/inflammatory-bowel-disease
[2] http://https/en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irritable_bowel_syndrome
[3] http://https/www.healthline.com/health/ibs-diet#low–fat-diet
[4] http://https/www.healthline.com/health/ibs-c/the-dangers-of-untreated-ibs-c#Physical-health-complications