Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a group of symptoms that occur together and cause pain in the abdomen. They also cause changes in your bowel movements. The type of IBS you have depends on whether you have constipation, diarrhea, or both. Other symptoms may include abdominal cramping, bloating, or whitish mucus in your stool. You also may feel like you haven't finished a bowel movement.
The condition can be different for everyone who has it. People with IBS may experience symptoms on some days and feel fine on others. While IBS affects the digestive tract, it does not cause damage or disease.
What causes IBS, and who is most at risk?
IBS is considered a “functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder.” That means there’s a problem with how your brain and your gut work together. This can cause your gut to be more sensitive, which can lead to more bloating or abdominal pain. It can also change how the muscles in your bowel contract.
An estimated 12% of people in the United States have IBS. It affects about twice as many women as men, and IBS symptoms may be worse during menstruation. IBS is most often found in people younger than 50.
You may be at greater risk for IBS if you have:
- A family member with the condition
- A history of stressful or difficult life events, including physical or sexual abuse
- Certain mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorder
- A bacterial infection in your digestive tract
- Specific food sensitivities or intolerances
Diagnosis
No one knows the exact cause of IBS, but your health care provider may run different tests to rule out other conditions or diseases. They will ask about your medical and family health history and do a physical exam. They may order blood tests, stool tests, and other tests to check for different health problems. Most of the time, your doctor can diagnose IBS based on your symptoms. Your provider may also perform a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to check for colon cancer because some symptoms are similar to IBS.
People with IBS often have other conditions, including:
- Chronic pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Indigestion
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Treatment
You may be able to manage IBS symptoms by changing your diet, managing your stress, or taking medicine for diarrhea or constipation. Your health care provider may suggest taking probiotics. These are live microorganisms like the ones you naturally have in your digestive tract.
Know the difference: Probiotics vs. prebiotics
Probiotics:
- Live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body
- Can be found in yogurt and other fermented foods, dietary supplements, and beauty products
Prebiotics:
- Specialized plant fibers that beneficially nourish the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon
- Nondigestible food ingredient not affected by heat, cold, acid, or time
Your provider may also recommend eating more fiber, eating less gluten (or avoiding it altogether), or following a low FODMAP diet. This diet avoids foods that are hard for some to digest, including beans, dairy, wheat, and certain fruits and vegetables. No specific diet works for everyone with IBS, though. Keeping a food diary can help you figure out which foods make your symptoms worse.
Increasing physical activity and getting enough sleep can help IBS symptoms. Mental health and relaxation therapies may help manage the condition as well. There are even medications to help treat some symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. It’s important to talk to your health care provider before beginning any treatment.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has helpful information on different IBS treatment methods, including probiotics, acupuncture, peppermint oil, and hypnotherapy.
