The exact cause of IBD is not known. One possible cause is a malfunction of the immune system. Heredity seems to be a contributing factor, as it is more common among people with a family history of the disease.

Other common risk factors include:

Age: Most people affected are diagnosed before the age of 30. However, some people don't develop the disease until their 50s or 60s.

Family history: If you have a close relative with the disease, such as a parent or sibling, you are at higher risk of developing the condition.

Smoking cigarettes: Smoking is the most important controllable risk factor for developing Crohn's disease. Smoking cigarettes may actually help to prevent ulcerative colitis, but its overall harm to your health greatly outweighs any benefit. Plus, quitting smoking can improve the general health of your digestive tract among other benefits.

Race or ethnicity: While it can occur in any race, it is more common among white people.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications: Taking medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), naproxen sodium (Aleve), diclofenac sodium, and others may increase the risk of developing IBD and can worse the disease in people already affected by it.

While symptoms may vary from person to person, many people suffering from IBS struggle experience the following symptoms:

• Passing a bowel movement, which causes abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating.
• Bowel movement changes in appearance
• Changes in the frequency of your bowel movements
• Bloating, gas, and mucus in the stool are other symptoms that are frequently linked.

According to Mayo Clinic, mild signs and symptoms can often be controlled by managing stress and by making changes in your diet and lifestyle:

• Avoid meals that make your symptoms worse.
  
• Consume high-fiber foods.
  
• Drink a lot of water.
  
• Exercise on a regular basis
  
• Get enough rest.
  
• Food elimination
  

Your doctor might suggest that you eliminate from your diet:

- High-gas foods. If you have bloating or gas, you may want to avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages, as well as some foods that cause gas.

- Gluten. Even if they don't have celiac disease, some patients with IBS experience improvement in diarrhea symptoms when they quit consuming gluten (wheat, barley, and rye).

- FODMAPs. Some people are sensitive to FODMAPs – fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols — which include fructose, fructans, lactose, and others. Certain cereals, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products contain FODMAPs.

Medication

According to Mayo Clinic, your doctor might suggest medications such as: Fiber supplements. Constipation can be controlled by taking a psyllium (Metamucil) supplement with water. - Laxatives. If fiber doesn't work, your doctor might suggest over-the-counter laxatives such magnesium hydroxide oral (Phillips' Milk of Magnesia) or polyethylene glycol (Miralax).

- Anti-diarrheal medications. Loperamide (Imodium A-D), an over-the-counter medicine, can help reduce diarrhea. A bile acid binder, such as cholestyramine (Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam, may also be prescribed by your doctor (Welchol). Bloating can be caused by bile acid binders.

- Anticholinergic medications. Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat a variety of conditions. Painful bowel spasms can be relieved with medications like dicyclomine (Bentyl). They're sometimes given to patients who have diarrhea problems. These drugs are typically safe, although they can induce constipation, dry mouth, and impaired vision in some people.

- Tricyclic antidepressants. This sort of drug can aid with depression as well as alleviate pain by inhibiting the activity of neurons that control the intestines. Your doctor may prescribe a lower-than-normal dose of imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), or nortriptyline if you experience diarrhea and abdominal pain without depression (Pamelor). Drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, and dry mouth are some of the possible side effects, which may be lessened if you take the drug before bed.

- SSRI antidepressants. Antidepressants with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) or paroxetine (Paxil), may help if you're sad and suffering from pain and constipation. - Pain medications. Pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are two drugs that can help with extreme pain and bloating.

Medications specifically for IBS

Medications approved for certain people with IBS include:

- Alosetron (Lotronex). Alosetron is a drug that relaxes the colon and slows the passage of waste through the intestines. Alosetron can only be prescribed by doctors who are part of a special program, and it is only approved for use by women with severe diarrhea-predominant IBS who haven't responded to other treatments. It has been associated to a number of rare but serious side effects, therefore it should only be used if other therapies have failed.

- Eluxadoline (Viberzi). Eluxadoline relieves diarrhea by lowering gut muscular spasms and fluid output while also boosting rectum muscle tone. Nausea, stomach pain, and moderate constipation are all possible side effects. Pancreatitis, which can be dangerous and more common in some people, has also been linked to eluxadoline.

- Rifaximin (Xifaxan). Bacterial overgrowth and diarrhea can be reduced using this medication.

- Lubiprostone (Amitiza). Lubiprostone can help with stool movement by increasing fluid secretion in the small intestine. It's approved for IBS with constipation in women, and it's usually only given to women who have severe symptoms that haven't responded to other therapies.

- Linaclotide (Linzess). Linaclotide can also help you pass stool by increasing fluid secretion in your small intestine. Although linaclotide might cause diarrhea, taking it 30 to 60 minutes before eating may help.

A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Because of their specialized medical training in gastroenterology, endoscopic procedures led by a gastroenterologist often lead to more accurate detection of polyps and cancer with fewer complications.

The most common conditions, diseases, and disorders diagnosed and treated by gastroenterologists include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  
• Heartburn
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  
• Celiac disease
  
• Gallbladder or liver disease
  
• Acid reflux
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
• Digestive diseases
  
• Cancer (gastrointestinal, liver, pancreas, colon, rectal)
  

Your primary care provider may refer you to a GI specialist to receive medical advice and treatment for a number of conditions, including:

• Acid reflux
  
• Ulcers
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  
• Hepatitis
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
• Gallstones
  
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  
• Lactose intolerance
  
• Pancreatitis
  

For conditions of the liver, you may be referred to a herpetologist - a GI doctor with special expertise in liver conditions.

Gastroenterologists specialize in any conditions related to the digestive or gastrointestinal tracts, which encompass the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver.

Your primary care provider may refer you to a gastroenterologist if you're experiencing abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation, heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, black bowel movements, rectal bleeding, sudden and unexplainable weight loss, having difficulty swallowing, and more.

Starting at the age of 50, it is recommended that you start getting screened routinely for rectal and colon cancer with an endoscopic procedure known as a colonoscopy.

While adverse reactions to dicyclomine are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including dizziness, dry mouth, blurry vision, nausea, drowsiness, physical tiredness, and nervousness. Tell your doctor if any of these are severe or do not go away.

Rare, more serious adverse reactions have also been known to occur. Get immediate medical attention if you have any confusion, forgetfulness, hallucinations, excessive tiredness, inappropriate mood swings, or symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as rash; hives; swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue; or difficulty breathing or swallowing).

Talk to your doctor about your medical history and inform them of all known allergies, plus all medications and supplements that you take. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

This is not a complete list of side effects or precautions. For more information please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage for dicyclomine.

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