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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a condition characterized by abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, and other changes in the bowels.
What is going on in the body?
Normally when a person eats, the stimulation of the food causes the muscles of the colon to contract. This contraction then pushes the stool toward the rectum to the outside of the body. IBS seems to cause the colon to be more sensitive to stimulation.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
It is not clear what causes IBS. Emotional stress and diet, especially one high in calories and fat, seem to be some of the factors that increase the symptoms associated with IBS. Other factors include: