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What are IBS Symptoms?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a group of symptoms including abdominal pain and changes in the pattern of bowel movements without any evidence of underlying damage. These symptoms occur over a long time, often years. It has been classified into four main types depending on if diarrhea is common, constipation is common, both are common, or neither occurs very often such S IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-M, or IBS-U respectively. IBS adversely affects quality of life and may result in missed school or work. Disorders such as anxiety, major depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome, are common among people with IBS.

The causes of IBS are not clear. Theories include gut–brain axis problems, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, genetic factors, food sensitivity, and gut motility problems. Onset may be triggered by an intestinal infection, or stressful life event. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms in the absence of worrisome features. Worrisome features include onset at greater than 50 years of age, weight reduction, blood in the stool, or a family history of inflammatory bowel disease. Other conditions that may present similarly include celiac disease, microscopic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, bile acid and malabsorption.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include –

1. Changes in bowel movement patterns.
2. Bloating and excess gas.
3. Pain the lower belly.
4. Mucus in stools.

You are more likely to have IBS if you have these symptoms and they have lasted at least 6 months, you have had belly pain at least 3 days each month for at least 3 months, and at least two of the following are true –

1. The pain is relieved by having a bowel movement.
2. The pain is linked to a change in how often you have a bowel movement.
3. The pain is linked to a change in the appearance or consistency of your stool.

Because there are no structural problems in the intestines of people who have IBS, some people may think this means that the symptoms “are all in their head.” This isn’t true. The pain, discomfort, and bloating are real. They have many different causes that can be addressed to help relieve symptoms.

a) Bowel movement patterns

When you have IBS, your pattern of bowel movements may be different over time. Two or more of the following may happen –

1. Bowel movements may occur either more often diarrhea or less often constipation than usual. For example, you may have more than 3 bowel movements a day or less than 3 a week.
2. Bowel movements may differ in size or consistency. They may be hard and small, pencil-thin, or loose and watery.
3. The way stools pass changes. You may strain, feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement, or feel that you haven’t completely passed a stool.
4. You may have bloating or a feeling of gas in the intestines.

b. Other intestinal symptoms

Some people may have pain in the lower belly with constipation that is sometimes followed by diarrhea. Other people have pain and mild constipation but no diarrhea. Some people have intestinal gas and passage of mucus in stools.

c. Non-gastrointestinal symptoms

You may sometimes have other symptoms that don’t affect the intestines, such as:

1. Anxiety or depression.
2. Fatigue.
3. Headache.
4. An unpleasant taste in the mouth.
5. Backache.
6. Sleep problems or insomnia has not caused by symptoms of IBS.
7. Sexual problems, such as pain during sex or reduced sexual desire.
8. Heart palpitations, you may feel like your heart skips a beat or is fluttering.
9. Urinary symptoms, you may have a frequent or urgent need to urinate, trouble starting the urine stream, or trouble emptying your bladder.
10. Symptoms often occur after a meal, during stressful times, or during menstruation.

Treatments for IBS

A key to achieving relief for irritable bowel syndrome is the understanding that IBS is a complex motility and sensory disorder. It may have physical and stress-related dimensions. A strong partnership between a knowledgeable patient and an empathetic, knowledgeable health care provider can produce significant improvement and control over symptoms for individuals with IBS.

The first line of treatment for IBS includes general measures such as –

1. Establishing an effective patient-physician relationship,
2. Obtaining education about IBS
3. Implementing lifestyle changes, which may be associated with symptoms.

Probiotics and Antibiotics

The digestive tract contains trillions of bacteria. Research is currently showing that the composition of these bacteria may affect various aspects of health and disease. There is some evidence that certain probiotics may help improve IBS symptoms. Learn more about probiotics for IBS.

There is also a potential role for some bad bacteria residing in the gut to be associated with IBS symptoms in some people. Recent clinical trials have shown that antibiotics, which reduce or alter the bacteria in the gut, may relieve the symptoms of IBS. Learn more about antibiotics for IBS.