What is IBS Nausea?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) nausea is commonly caused by stress, digestive imbalance, and hormonal imbalance. This condition is characterized by prolonged motion sickness, spasms, and vomiting. Not everyone who suffers from IBS experiences nausea; some endure other symptoms such as bloating, constipation, and back pain. IBS nausea is not treatable by itself, though its effects on the patient may be alleviated.

Nausea during an IBS attack usually results from digestive imbalance. In many cases, it is said that those who experience nausea whenever ill with IBS are also suffering from a highly stressful lifestyle. Stress alone does not cause IBS nausea, however. It is accompanied by other contributing factors, such as hormonal imbalance.

Patients recovering from digestion-related illness may encounter IBS nausea. This is because while the patient is recovering, the concentration of bacteria inside the patient's body is still in the process of rebalancing. The abrupt introduction of solid food may cause the intense feeling of nausea and the urge to vomit.

Bacterial imbalances in the digestive system that cause IBS nausea may also afflict a person who regularly takes certain medications, particularly antibiotics. Other kinds of pills may also cause an imbalance in the digestive environment. Anyone who suffers such side effects from a prescription should check with a doctor.

Many sufferers of IBS and constipation state that IBS-induced nausea is the major symptom they experience. For some doctors, it is the most difficult aspect of IBS to treat because no one cure is able to work for every patient. In some cases, doctors administer medications that will help the patient normalize his or her bowel movements, thus relieving the causes of nausea. For other patients, however, it is very difficult to develop a normal bowel movement and relieve IBS nausea in the process.

There are several medications that can treat IBS nausea, but because there is no known cure, these medications are just taken to alleviate the symptoms. One of these medicines are anticholinergics, which are used to decrease muscle spasms in the small and large intestines, alleviating the symptoms of nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. Another drug that can be used to reduce the effects of nausea is dicyclomine, which relaxes the muscles in the gut and bladder, thereby preventing spasms and allowing smoother bowel movement. This drug can also be used to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, which may help relieve the patient's nausea.