What is spastic colon?

Answer From Purna Kashyap, M.B.B.S.

Spastic colon is an outdated term that's sometimes used to refer to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a common digestive condition involving belly cramps and pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Medical professionals used the term "spastic colon" to describe the irregular contractions of muscles in the intestines related to IBS. The contractions are sometimes called spasms. However, there are several reasons why people with IBS may experience symptoms, so the term "spastic colon" isn't an accurate description for IBS.

The cause and seriousness of IBS is different from person to person. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and may include:

  1. Changing eating habits.
  2. Increasing physical activity.
  3. Reducing stress.
  4. Possibly taking anticholinergic medicines to help treat spasms.

With

Purna Kashyap, M.B.B.S.

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Nov. 05, 2024 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Abdominal pain
  2. Acupuncture
  3. Belching, intestinal gas, gas pains and bloating
  4. Candida cleanse diet
  5. Colonoscopy
  6. Color Blue Detects Colon Cancer
  7. CT scan
  8. Diarrhea
  9. Fiber supplements
  10. Fibromyalgia
  11. Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  12. Food allergy or intolerance?
  13. Gas and gas pains
  14. Hypnosis
  15. Irritable bowel syndrome
  16. Laxatives
  17. Symptom Checker
  18. Tianeptine: Is safe use possible?
  19. Colonoscopy
  20. How irritable bowel syndrome affects you