Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, What Is It?

No doubt we have all heard of it, most of us have probably experienced it, but what does it mean?

It is the name given to a functional disorder of the bowel. One that does not function properly, or one that is 'irritated'. It is a classification for a number of irksome conditions with similar symptoms that seem difficult to diagnose and impossible to treat, such as spastic colon, mucous colitis or non-inflammatory bowel disease.

It affects 1 in 10 people and is not necessarily an on-going condition. It is not life threatening and will not cause cancer, however, it is often disabling and definitely uncomfortable to say the least! Up to 1 in 5 people in the UK develop an irritable bowel at some stage in their life, usually in their teenage years or as a young adult, and it affects more women than men.

A number of conditions have similar symptoms to IBS and can be mistaken for it. These include coeliac disease, diverticulitis, laxative abuse, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and it is important that these are investigated first. However if they have been checked out and nothing adverse found, then a diagnosis of IBS is usually given and you may have to 'learn to live with it'!

However, there are lots of things that you can do to help yourself.

1. The most common is irregular bowel movements:

• It could be diarrhea, and often several times in the morning with your breakfast.


• On the other hand it could be constipation.


• In some people it is diarrhea one day and constipation the next.


• The stools can be small and pellet like, sometimes watery and ribbon like.


• There may be mucous mixed in with the stools.


• There is often an urgency.


• You may have a feeling of not having emptied your rectum completely.

2. Abdominal pain is frequently a problem and can occur in any part of the abdomen.

• It can be of a colicky nature.


• It can be severe cramps across the lower abdomen.


• It can be pain in the upper abdomen.


• It could be pain under the rib cage.

3. Wind and bloating is a common occurrence with grumbling noises.

This can happen immediately after eating or several hours later.

4. Sometimes there is nausea, indigestion and belching, occasional vomiting and, very occasionally, dizziness.

There may be mucous in the stools, fatigue, weight fluctuations, feeling quickly full after eating, poor appetite, back pain, muscle pains, headache, heartburn, bladder symptoms and depression. The problems may occur at anytime; after food, before food, immediately on waking or even during the night.