Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Hereditary Disease Or Not?

The jury is out on whether or not irritable bowel syndrome is hereditary. There are always many studies going on all around the world to try to see if there is a connection between IBS and family history.

According To A Recent Study

In one study done recently, 24% of the participants said they also had a first-degree relative with the same symptoms or that was already diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome as well. However, before an official correlation is stated between irritable bowel and family history, there is much more that needs to be investigated.

According To Scientists

Scientists claim that the relationship of the 24% studied could be due to environmental factors. They question if the symptoms are genetic or if they occur more regularly because people living in the same house will have similar lifestyles and experiences.

For example, a family would be under similar amounts of stress, eat the same foods, and even deal with the same air pollution and other environmental aspects. Perhaps your family loves spicy food and everyone in the family has digestion problems.

Cause could be because of the amount of spicy foods you serve in your home, instead of being hereditary. In addition, different members of your family could have problems because of these reasons, if you live in a stressful environment where there is abuse or there are financial stresses.

These variables have a lot to do with why experts are not yet ready to say irritable bowel syndrome is hereditary. In addition, it seems that some children who complain of IBS symptoms may be doing so because they are learning to imitate through social behavior.

It is common that they too will develop the symptoms or be more sensitive to possible symptoms, if a child sees or hears a parent complaining of specific symptoms.

This is something that is seen with many diseases, so it is not abnormal to assume it could be possible with Irritable Bowel Syndrome as well. It is just something children can learn to do, as well as other adults in fact.

The reason it is so significant for scientists to determine whether or not Irritable Bowel Syndrome is hereditary is because if they could find a genetic link, they would be able to find a better treatment for the illness.

It would be much easier to target exactly how the illness works in your body and what type of medication would prevent it from producing symptoms in each suffering individual once the link was determined. Therefore, experts will continue trying to find the relation between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and family history.

Until there is a known answer however, the best thing you can do for your family is be sensitive to any concerns or symptoms they may have. Put everyone in your family on an “IBS diet” just in case you are concerned about their eating habits as well.

Also, educate them on symptoms they should look out for, but make sure children understand that they are not necessarily going to have this illness just because you have it.