Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

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What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) What is IBS? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time. It's usually a lifelong problem.

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain and abnormal bowel habits. IBS is the most common disorder of the digestive system and up to one third of the population experience symptoms. Women are slightly more affected than men and the usual age for patients to seek advice is between 20 and 40 years. How does irritable bowel syndrome occur?

What are the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (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.

Who is more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Many people have occasional symptoms of IBS. But you're more likely to have the syndrome if you: Are young. IBS occurs more frequently in people under age 50. Are female. In the United States, IBS is more common among women. Estrogen therapy before or after menopause also is a risk factor for IBS.

What causes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

The exact cause is unknown – it's been linked to things like food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress and a family history of IBS. Read about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and how to treat the symptoms, which include stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.

What is the irritable bowel syndrome network?

The IBS Network provides a unique self-care programme to support people living with irritable bowel syndrome. The programme is available to members, to work through at home, or in IBS support groups. To become a member go to the website. What to ask your doctor? Have I been fully checked for other bowel conditions?

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
3. https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome
5. https://www.webmd.com/ibs/digestive-diseases-irritable-bowel-syndrome
6. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4342-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs
7. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Information

1. https://patient.info/digestive-health/irritable-bowel-syndrome-leaflet
2. https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/digestive-gut-health/irritable-bowel-syndrome
3. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
4. https://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG61
5. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome