IBS

TreatmentCausesTests & diagnosisPrognosisWhen to contact a doctor
U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Overview
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a disorder of the lower intestinal tract. It involves abdominal pain and abnormal bowel movements. Emotional stress often makes the symptoms worse.
It is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms
Symptoms range from mild to severe. Most people have mild symptoms. IBS symptoms may be worse in patients who also have stress or mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. However, it is important to understand that these conditions do not cause IBS.
Symptoms may include:
Abdominal distention
Abdominal fullness, gas, bloating
Abdominal pain that:
Comes and goes
Is reduced or goes away after a bowel movement
Occurs after meals
Chronic and frequent constipation, usually accompanied by pain
Chronic and frequent diarrhea, usually accompanied by pain
Emotional distress
Depression
Loss of appetite
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.
Lifestyle changes can be helpful in some cases of IBS. For example, regular exercise and improved sleep habits may reduce anxiety and help relieve bowel symptoms.
Dietary changes can be helpful. However, no specific diet can be recommended for IBS in general, because the condition differs from one person to another. Increasing dietary fiber and avoiding foods and drinks that stimulate the intestines (such as caffeine) may help.
Other possible treatments may include:
Counseling in cases of severe anxiety or depression
Antidiarrheal medications for those whose main symptom is diarrhea
Low-dose antidepressants to help relieve intestinal pain
Medications to stimulate bowel movements for those with constipation
Causes
IBS involves a combination of abdominal pain and constipation, diarrhea, or an alternating pattern of these problems.
There are many possible causes. For example, there may be a problem with muscle movement in the intestine or a lower tolerance for stretching and movement of the intestine. There is no problem with the structure of the intestine.
It is not clear why patients develop IBS, but in some instances, it occurs after an intestinal infection. This is called postinfectious IBS. There may also be other triggers.
IBS can occur at any age, but it often begins in adolescence or early adulthood. It is more common in women. The condition is the most common intestinal complaint for which patients are referred to a gastroenterologist.
Tests & diagnosis
Most of the time, your doctor can diagnose IBS with few or no tests. Tests usually reveal no problems. Some experts recommend a lactose-free diet for 2 weeks to evaluate for possible lactase deficiency.
Some patients may need an endoscopy, especially if symptoms begin later in life. Younger patients with persistent diarrhea may need this test to look for inflammatory bowel diseases that can cause similiar symptoms, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. You may need additional tests if you have blood in your stool, weight loss, signs of anemia, or you have recently traveled.
Patients over age 50 should be screened for colon cancer.

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