Irritable Bowel & Asperger Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a lower intestinal tract disorder that causes stomach pain and abnormal bowel movements. IBS can be caused by problems with intestinal muscles, movement and stretching. It affects mostly women and typically starts during adolescence or early adulthood.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism in which sufferers are highly functioning and have above average intelligence but have trouble interacting with others. The condition affects males more than females. Its cause is unknown. Irritable bowel and Asperger are very different conditions that can both negatively impact your quality of life.

Diagnosis

• Asperger's syndrome is usually diagnosed during childhood. A doctor will observe patient behavior and ask parents about their development, social and communication skills. The child's intelligence, problem solving ability and speech development may be examined. IBS can usually be diagnosed without tests but when needed, you may have an endoscopy to help the doctor to see inside your body where the problem occurred. You may also try a lactose free diet for two weeks to check for lactase deficiency.

IBS Symptoms

• Symptoms of irritable bowel include abdominal pain after a meal, which goes away after a bowel movement. You can also have abdominal distention, gas and bloating and constipation and diarrhea that are frequent, chronic and often painful. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, emotional distress and depression. Most people with irritable bowel will have mild symptoms, but they can be more severe for people with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Living with severe symptoms of IBS can make attending social engagements difficult or uncomfortable.

Asperger Symptoms

• Some symptoms of Asperger syndrome are speaking in a monotone, not responding to the comments or emotions of others, trouble understanding humor or sarcasm and problems picking a topic of conversation. People with Asperger might also have trouble with body posture, facial expressions and eye contact, be inflexible with routines and exhibit repetitive behaviors such as twisting and snapping their fingers. These symptoms can make interacting with others and going to social functions difficult.

IBS Treatment

• Treatment of irritable bowel begins with relieving your own symptoms. Start by exercising regularly and improving sleep habits. That may include getting enough sleep and going to bed at the same time each night. Adding fiber to your diet and avoiding stimulants like caffeine might help. Use anti-diarrheal medicine if diarrhea is a problem, but if you have constipation, you might need medicine to stimulate bowel movements. Your doctor might also prescribe antidepressants and recommend counseling.

Asperger Treatment

• Asperger treatment includes cognitive behavior therapy, a method to help stop problems like angry outbursts and interrupting. This therapy can also help the patient recognize feelings and cope with anxiety. Communication and social skills training involves repetition to teach Asperger patients to speak in a natural rhythm and to interpret humor, sarcasm and other communication techniques. There's no medicine to treat Asperger, but medicine can treat symptoms such as hyperactivity and depression.