Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS)
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a group of symptoms that affect your digestive system. It’s a common but uncomfortable gastrointestinal disorder. People with IBS get excessive gas, abdominal pain and cramps.
What are the different types of IBS?
Researchers categorize IBS based on the type of bowel movement problems you have. The kind of IBS can affect your treatment. Certain medicines only work for certain types of IBS.
Often, people with IBS have normal bowel movements some days and abnormal ones on other days. The type of IBS you have depends on the abnormal bowel movements you experience:
IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Most of your poop is hard and lumpy.
IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D): Most of your poop is loose and watery.
IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): You have both hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements on the same day.
Symptoms of IBS
Abdominal pain or cramps, usually in the lower half of the abdomen.
Bloating.
Bowel movements that are harder or looser than usual.
Diarrhea, constipation or alternating between the two.
Excess gas.
Mucus in your stool (may look whitish).
Women with IBS may find that symptoms flare up during their periods. These symptoms often happen again and again, which can make you feel stressed or upset. As you learn management techniques and gain control over flare-ups, you’ll start to feel better, physically and mentally.
When to seek care
See your provider if you have symptoms more than three times a month for more than three months. And if you have symptoms less often, but they interfere with your life, it’s a good idea to talk to your provider.
Some symptoms may point to a more serious problem. Contact your provider as soon as possible if you have:
Bleeding.
Weight loss.
Severe pain.
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