Irritable Bowel Syndrome Overview
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder of unknown cause. Common symptoms include abdominal cramping or pain, bloating and gassiness, and altered bowel habits.
Irritable bowel syndrome has also been called spastic colon, functional bowel disease, and mucous colitis. However, IBS is not a true “colitis.” The term colitis refers to a separate group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Irritable bowel syndrome is not contagious, inherited, or cancerous. It is estimated that 20% of adults in the U.S. have symptoms of IBS. It occurs more often in women than in men, and the onset occurs before the age of 35 in about half of the cases.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes
The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is currently unknown. IBS is thought to result from an interplay of abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) tract movements, increased awareness of normal bodily functions, and a change in the nervous system communication between the brain and the GI tract. Abnormal movements of the colon, whether too fast or too slow, are seen in some, but not all, people who have IBS.
Irritable bowel syndrome has also developed after episodes of gastroenteritis.
It has been suggested that IBS is caused by dietary allergies or food sensitivities, but this has never been proven.
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome may worsen during periods of stress or menses, but these factors are unlikely to be the cause that leads to the development of IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome affects each person differently. The hallmark of IBS is abdominal discomfort or pain. The following symptoms are also common:
Abdominal cramping and pain that are relieved with bowel movements
Alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation
Change in the stool frequency or consistency
Gassiness (flatulence)
Passing mucus from the rectum
Bloating
Abdominal distension
