Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Dietary Habits and Stress in Working Women

Abstract

Background: Functional gastro-intestinal disorders are mostly found in women due to the fluctuations in
female sex hormones. The effects of hormones and stress have a great influence over the gastrointestinal
symptoms and causes impaired bowel symptoms.
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the findings
may fetch more data on the influence of dietary habits and stress in the causation of IBS.
Materials and Method: The study was conducted among 188 women employees from Manipal Academy
of Higher Education institutes of Manipal using stratified proportionate sampling. A validated questionnaire
was used for assessing the symptoms, dietary habits and stress causing IBS.
Results: The results revealed that, 19(10.1%) participants reported having IBS symptoms. Majority,
12(63.3%) expressed having moderate perceived stress. Chi-square analysis proved statistically significant
association between the IBS symptoms experienced and milk intake (?2
=11.329, p=.010) as well as stress
(?2
=14.293, p=.001).
Conclusion: The working women population remains the vulnerable group of IBS sufferers due to lack of
time and being negligent towards their health.