Commonly known as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, individuals suffering from a spastic colon syndrome experience intestinal muscle spasms which in most instances lead to diarrhea.

The characteristics of IBS include episodes of diarrhea alternating with constipation. Constipation is a decrease in intestinal activity and diarrhea is an increase in the activity of your intestinal muscles.

Diagnosed by exclusion, a spastic colon syndrome has characteristics including discomfort and chronic pain in the abdomen, bloating and a change in bowel habits without any organic detectable cause. Spastic colons are classified as IBS-A, IBS-C and IBS-D respectively.

There are times when IBS begins after an infection, and this is classified as IBS-PI. At times, the onset of aging with no other medical indications or a stressful event in life can also bring on IBS.

There is currently no IBS cure, although there are symptom relieving treatments like medication, psychological intervening or adjusting the diet. Good patient-doctor relationships and patient education can also play an important role when it comes to treating IBS.

Even if a spastic colon syndrome does not lead to more serious medical problems, it is still a source of fatigue and pain. It will also increase an individuals medical bills and plays a big part in absenteeism from work.

A spastic colon syndrome can affect the life of sufferers in very significant ways including the quality time they are able to spend with their family and their ability to earn income.

The main symptoms of spasms in your colon include constipation, frequency of diarrhea and unpredictable bowel habits.

Feelings of urgently needing to go to the bathroom to move your bowels, feelings of tenesmus or not having gone through complete bowel evacuation and abdominal distention are also symptoms of IBS.

Studies have also found that people who have spastic colons are more likely have acid reflux and symptoms pertaining to the urinary systems.

Aside from the mentioned conditions, individuals with IBS are more likely to have fibromyalgia, backaches, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome and certain psychiatry symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

The medical community is not certain what exactly causes a spastic colon sumdrome. However, IBS development risk increases after a number of acute infections have occurred in the gastro-intestines. People who are suffering from this syndrome usually also develop hemorrhoids as a consequence.

Depression is another condition related to this syndrome since IBS affects the ability of a person to truly enjoy life.

There are over-the-counter drugs like Imodium for controlling diarrhea. There are also anticholinergics, which are medications to treat severe spasms. Medications that are anti-depressant are also able to alleviate symptoms of sufferers and can also treat the accompanying depression.

There is no specific exam to determine if you do indeed have a spastic colon. However, doctors may administer certain tests to make sure you do not have another disease. These tests include x-rays, blood tests, stool samples and perhaps even a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

The good news is if you have been diagnosed with IBS or spastic colon syndrome, it is possible to control the symptoms with medicine, stress management and diet.