IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
It’s a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning the digestive tract looks normal on tests but doesn’t work normally.
Key features of IBS:
- Chronic abdominal pain or discomfort
- Changes in bowel habits, such as:
- Diarrhea (IBS-D)
- Constipation (IBS-C)
- Alternating diarrhea and constipation (IBS-M)
- Bloating, gas, and cramping
What causes it?
There’s no single cause, but contributing factors include:
- Gut–brain communication issues
- Gut motility problems
- Visceral hypersensitivity (more sensitive intestines)
- Stress or anxiety
- Changes in the gut microbiome
Diagnosis
IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms (Rome IV criteria) and by ruling out other conditions, since there is no specific test for it.
Treatment
- Diet changes (e.g., low FODMAP diet)
- Stress management
- Medications for pain, diarrhea, or constipation
- Probiotics in some cases