What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a problem that
affects mainly the bowel,* which is also
called the large intestine. The bowel is the part of the
digestive system that makes and stores stool. The word syndrome
means a group of symptoms. IBS is a syndrome because it
can cause several symptoms. For example, IBS causes
cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
*Linked terms are defined in the glossary.
IBS is not a disease. It's a functional
disorder, which means that the bowel doesn't work as it
should.
With IBS, the nerves and muscles in the bowel are
extra-sensitive. For example, the muscles may contract too
much when you eat. These contractions can cause cramping
and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. Or the nerves
can be overly sensitive to the stretching of the bowel
(because of gas, for example). Cramping or pain can
result.
IBS can be painful. But it does not damage the bowel or
cause any other diseases.
Does stress cause IBS?
Emotional stress will not cause a person to develop
IBS. But if you already have IBS, stress can trigger
symptoms. In fact, the bowel can overreact to all sorts of
things, including food, exercise, and hormones.
Foods that tend to cause symptoms include milk
products, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks,
and fatty foods. In some cases, simply eating a large meal
will trigger symptoms.
Women with IBS often have more symptoms during their
menstrual periods.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
The main symptoms of IBS are
- crampy pain in the stomach area (abdomen)
- painful diarrhea or constipation
Most people have either diarrhea or constipation, but
some people have both.
Other symptoms are
- mucus in the stool
- swollen or bloated abdomen
- the feeling that you have not finished a bowel
movement
How is IBS diagnosed?
The doctor will suspect that you have IBS because of
your symptoms. But the doctor may do medical tests to make
sure you don't have any other diseases that could cause
the symptoms.
Medical Tests for IBS
- Physical exam
- Blood tests
- X ray of the bowel: This x-ray test is called a barium
enema or lower GI (gastrointestinal) series.
Barium is a thick liquid that makes the bowel show up
better on the x ray. Before taking the x ray, the
doctor will put barium into your bowel through the
anus.
- Endoscopy: The doctor inserts a
thin tube into your bowel. The tube has a camera in
it, so the doctor can look at the inside of the bowel
to check for problems.
What is the treatment?
IBS has no cure, but you can do things to relieve
symptoms. Treatment may involve
- diet changes
- medicine
- stress relief
You may have to try a combination of things to see
which works best for you.
Diet Changes
Some foods make IBS worse.
Here are some foods that may cause symptoms:
- fatty foods like french fries
- milk products like cheese or ice cream
- chocolate
- alcohol
- caffeine (found in coffee and some sodas)
- carbonated drinks like soda
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These foods may make IBS worse.
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If certain foods cause symptoms, you should eat less of
them or stop eating them.
To find out which foods are a problem, write down this
information:
- what you eat during the day
- what symptoms you have
- when symptoms occur
- what foods always make you feel bad
Take your notes to the doctor to see if you should stop
eating certain foods.
Some foods make IBS better.
Fiber reduces IBS symptoms—especially
constipation—because it makes stool soft, bulky, and
easier to pass. Fiber is found in bran, bread, cereal,
beans, fruit, and vegetables.
Here are some examples of foods with fiber:
| Fruits |
Vegetables |
Breads, cereals, and beans |
Apples
Peaches |
Broccoli, raw
Cabbage
Carrots, raw
Peas |
Kidney beans
Lima beans
Whole-grain bread
Whole-grain cereal |
Add foods with fiber to your diet a little at a time to
let your body get used to them. Too much fiber all at once
might cause gas, which can trigger symptoms in a person
with IBS.
Besides telling you to eat more foods with fiber, the
doctor might also tell you to get more fiber by taking a
fiber pill or drinking water mixed with a special
high-fiber powder.
How much you eat matters, too.
Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea in people
with IBS. If this happens to you, try eating four or five
small meals a day. Or, have your usual three meals, but
eat less at each meal.
Medicine
If necessary, the doctor might give you medicine to
help with symptoms:
- laxatives: to treat constipation
- antispasmodics: to slow contractions in the
bowel, which helps with diarrhea and pain
- antidepressants: to help those who have
severe pain
You must follow your doctor's instructions when you use
these medicines. Otherwise, you could become dependent on
them.
Stress Relief
Does stress trigger your symptoms? Learning to reduce
stress can help. With less stress, you may find that you
have less cramping and pain. Also, you may find it easier
to manage your symptoms.
Meditation, exercise, and counseling are some things
that might help. You may need to try different activities
to see what works best for you.
Points to Remember
- IBS is a functional disorder in which the bowel
doesn't work as it should.
- IBS can cause cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and
constipation.
- IBS doesn't damage the bowel.
- The doctor will diagnose IBS based on your symptoms.
You might have some medical tests to rule out other
diseases.
- Stress doesn't cause IBS, but it can trigger
symptoms.
- Fatty foods, milk products, chocolate, caffeine,
carbonated drinks, and alcohol can trigger symptoms.
- Eating foods with fiber and eating smaller meals can
reduce symptoms.
- Treatment for IBS may include medicine, stress
relief, or changes in eating habits.
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