Irritable bowel syndrome

If you have irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, you might have uncomfortable or painful abdominal symptoms. Constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating are common IBS symptoms. IBS doesn’t damage your digestive tract or raise your risk for colon cancer. You can often manage symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes. Overview What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a group of symptoms that affect your digestive system. It’s a common but uncomfortable What is a functional GI disorder? IBS is a type of functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. These conditions, also called disorders of the gut-brain interaction, have to do with problems in how your gut and brain work together. These problems cause your digestive tract to be very sensitive. They also change how your bowel muscles contract. The result is abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. What are the different types of IBS? Researchers categorize IBS based on the type of bowel movement problems you have. The kind of IBS can affect your treatment. Certain medicines only work for certain types of IBS. Often, people with IBS have normal bowel movements some days and abnormal ones on other days. The type of IBS you have depends on the abnormal bowel movements you experience: • IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Most of your poop is hard and lumpy. • IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D): Most of your poop is loose and watery. • IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): You have both hard and lumpy bowel movem...

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? • IBS • Mucous colitis • Spastic colon • Nervous colon • Spastic bowel There are four types of the condition: • IBS with constipation (IBS-C) • IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) • Mixed IBS (IBS-M) alternates between constipation and diarrhea • Unsubtyped IBS (IBS-U) for people who don't fit into the above types IBS isn’t life-threatening, and it doesn't make you more likely to get other IBS Symptoms People with IBS have symptoms that can include: • Diarrhea (often described as violent episodes of diarrhea) • Constipation • Constipation alternating with diarrhea • Belly pains or • A lot of • Harder or looser stools than normal (pellets or flat ribbon stools) • A belly that sticks out • Mucus in your poop • Feeling like you still need to poop after you just did • • Tiredness • • • • • Needing to pee a lot Other things may cause these symptoms sometimes. If it’s IBS, you’ll likely have these symptoms weekly for 3 months, or less often for at least 6 months. Women with IBS may have more symptoms during their period. Some people also have urinary symptoms or sexual problems. When to call your doctor If you have an IBS symptom that lasts a long time, you get a new symptom, or your pain is worse than usual or you have new pain, see your doctor. If you usually take over-the-counter medications but now they don’t ease problems like diarrhea, gas, or cramping, you also need to see a doctor. Even if you don’t think a problem is physically part of IBS,...

After other conditions have been ruled out, your provider is likely to use one of these sets of diagnostic criteria for IBS: • Rome criteria. These criteria include belly pain and discomfort averaging at least one day a week in the last three months. This must also occur with at least two of the following: Pain and discomfort related to defecation, a change in the frequency of defecation, or a change in stool consistency. • Type of IBS. For the purpose of treatment, IBS can be divided into four types, based on your symptoms: constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant, mixed or unclassified. Your provider will also likely assess whether you have other symptoms that might suggest another, more serious, condition. These include: • Onset of symptoms after age 50 • Weight loss • Rectal bleeding • Fever • Nausea or recurrent vomiting • Belly pain, especially if it's not related to a bowel movement, or occurs at night • Diarrhea that is ongoing or awakens you from sleep • Anemia related to low iron If you have these symptoms, or if an initial treatment for IBS doesn't work, you'll likely need additional tests. Additional tests Your provider may recommend several tests, including stool studies to check for infection. Stool studies also can check to see if your intestine has trouble taking in nutrients. This is a disorder known as malabsorption. Additional tests may be recommended to rule out other causes of your symptoms. Diagnostic procedures can include: • Colonoscopy. Your ...

IBS can cause a wide range of symptoms, including digestive issues, changes in bowel movements, fatigue, and anxiety. Identifying triggers and making changes to your diet and lifestyle may be beneficial. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects between 6%–18% of people worldwide ( This condition involves changes in frequency or form of bowel movements and lower abdominal pain ( Diet, stress, poor sleep, and changes in However, triggers are different for each person, making it difficult to name This article will discuss the most common symptoms of IBS and what to do if you suspect you have it. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom and a key factor in diagnosis. Normally, your gut and brain work together to control digestion. This happens via hormones, nerves, and signals released by the In IBS, these cooperative signals become distorted, leading to uncoordinated and painful tension in the muscles of the digestive tract ( This pain usually occurs in the lower abdomen or the entire abdomen but is less likely to be in the upper abdomen alone. Pain typically decreases following a bowel movement ( Diet modifications, such as a diet low in Other treatments include bowel relaxants like For pain that doesn’t respond to these changes, a gastroenterologist can help you find a medication specifically proven to ease IBS pain. SUMMARY The most common symptom of IBS is lower abdominal pain that is less severe after a bowel movement. Dietary modifications, stress-reducing therapies, and...

IBS is a group of intestinal symptoms that can include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas. The cause of IBS is not clear but may be related to an overly sensitive colon or immune system. According to research from 2021, The condition affects more women and young people. Some people with IBS have minor symptoms. However, for others, the symptoms are significant and disrupt daily life. Learn about IBS, its symptoms, causes, triggers, and treatment. IBS is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. It is a separate condition from IBS is a group of intestinal symptoms that typically occur together. The symptoms vary in severity and duration from person to person. Types of IBS are classified based on certain specific symptoms that occur, such as constipation and weight loss. One IBS can cause intestinal damage in some cases. However, this is not common. According to a The symptoms of IBS typically include: • cramping • abdominal pain • bloating and gas • constipation • diarrhea It’s not uncommon for people with IBS to have episodes of both constipation and diarrhea. Symptoms such as bloating and gas typically go away after you have a bowel movement. Symptoms of IBS aren’t always persistent. They can resolve, only to come back. However, some people do have continuous symptoms. IBS pain IBS pain may feel like cramping. With this cramping, you will also have at least two of the following experiences: • some relief ...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition characterized by abdominal discomfort associated with altered bowel movements and is currently diagnosed according to the new Rome IV criteria. Recent research has shown that many symptoms of IBS are related to hypersensitivity of the nerves found in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. These nerves are distinct from those in your spinal cord and brain. For some people, IBS may arise from how the gut nerves communicate with the brain, or how the brain processes that information. In Western countries, IBS seems to affect women twice as often as men. IBS is very common, occurring in up to 15 percent of the United States population. Most people with IBS develop their first symptoms before the age of 40, with many patients recalling the onset of symptoms during childhood or young adulthood. There appears to be a familial component, as many IBS patients report having a family member with similar symptoms. Less commonly, the symptoms of IBS develop after a severe intestinal infection; this is called post-infectious IBS. It is important to note that IBS is very different than the similarly named disease inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Irritable Bowel Syndrome Types There are four subcategories of IBS, each with equal prevalence: • Mostly diarrhea and abdominal discomfort (IBS-D). • Mostly constipation and abdominal discomfort (IBS-C). • Alternating loose stools and constipation with abdominal discomfort (IBS-mixed). • Unde...