What is irritable bowel syndrome or IBS?

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is one of the most common yet often misunderstood gastrointestinal disorders in the world. It is estimated that around 1 in 10 people have recurring problems related to irritable bowel syndrome. In this post, we will dive deeper into what IBS is, what causes it, and how to manage it. 

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is an umbrella term for a larger group of diseases of the digestive tract called functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disease that may present with many different symptoms. These symptoms differ between people – both in type and severity.

Common symptoms of IBS are recurring abdominal pain, bloating, gas, irregular bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or both. Symptoms can come and go unpredictably, creating physical and emotional challenges. Yet, because IBS does not cause structural damage to the digestive system, it is sometimes overlooked or dismissed, leaving those who suffer searching for solutions alone.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has assessed the reduction in quality of life for people with IBS as great as in diabetes or depression and greater than in patients with chronic renal failure. Learn more about the symptoms of IBS.

Cause

Despite its widespread occurrence, IBS remains a complex condition with no clear-cut cause. It most likely involves a combination of factors such as gut sensitivity, stress, dietary triggers, and disruptions in the gut-brain axis. It has long been known that psychological factors, for example, anxiety, worry, and stress can trigger its symptoms. IBS has therefore previously been incorrectly perceived as a psychosomatic disorder.

Recent research, however, has provided new insights into possible physiological causes, which has given hope for new treatment methods. One potential factor contributing to IBS is inflammation in the intestinal nervous system, which may disrupt the communication between the gut and the brain. This leads to altered signaling and digestive issues.

Diagnosis

Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed using Rome IV criteria which evaluates the severity of your symptoms. Since IBS symptoms overlap with other conditions, tests like blood work, stool analysis, or colonoscopy are often used to rule out other disorders such as IBD, celiac disease, or infections. IBS often affects young, active, people and it is slightly more common in women. Read more about IBS diagnosis.

Treatment

IBS is classified into subtypes—IBS-D (diarrhea), IBS-C (constipation), IBS-M (mixed), or IBS-U (unclassified)—to guide treatment. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, the goal is of course to be completely IBS-free. A doctor can diagnose and give advice and suggestions for the treatment of your symptoms. A dietitian can also help review the current diet and give advice on how to reduce the symptoms of IBS through changes in diet. Those who often get constipation, gas, or diarrhea can get some help from medications that treat these conditions. However, it often becomes a problem if you periodically suffer from several different symptoms.

The lack of effective treatment leads to many patients with IBS trying a variety of drugs and experimenting with changes in their diet. By avoiding different foods, they try to get rid of their digestive problems. For many, however, the symptoms can even worsen when they start experimenting with, for example, different fiber products and one-sided diets. Learn more about the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Summary

With the right approach, including dietary adjustments, stress management, and lifestyle changes, individuals with IBS can take control of their symptoms and improve their daily lives. Here at allaboutIBS you can ask questions, find facts about IBS, and read about the latest research findings.