Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The cause of IBS is unknown. It appears that abnormal muscle contractions (too strong or too weak) in the stomach and intestines and/or poorly coordinated nerve signals between the brain and GI tract may lead to the condition.

Other factors that may play a role in triggering IBS include:

• Food sensitivities or intolerances (high-carb foods, spicy or fatty foods, carbonated drinks, coffee or caffeine, alcohol, lactose, fructose, sorbitol)
• Stress
• Hormonal changes in women, particularly at the time of menstruation
• Certain medications
• Smoking
• Other medical conditions such as gastroenteritis or bacterial overgrowth
• Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or trauma from physical or sexual abuse

IBS causes either diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of both for a prolonged period of time. Symptoms may come and go. You may have abdominal pain that gets better after a bowel movement. You may notice a change in the frequency of or appearance of your bowel movements.

Other symptoms include bloating, feeling like you haven’t finished a bowel movement, or whitish mucus in your stool.

Symptoms often occur soon after eating a meal or, for women, around the time of menstruation.

Your doctor will diagnose IBS primarily from a review of your medical history and a physical exam. Be sure to tell your doctor about your symptoms, how long you have experienced them, and any possible contributing factors. Your doctor may consider an IBS diagnosis if your symptoms first started at least 6 months prior or if you’ve had symptoms at least 3 times a month for the past 3 months.

Because there are no physical signs to definitively diagnose IBS, your doctor will first rule out other diseases or conditions with similar symptoms. To do this, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests
• Stool tests
• Imaging studies, like:
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Colonoscopy
  • CT scan
  • Lower GI series (barium enema)

There is no cure for IBS. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and minimize IBS episodes. Treatment will depend on the type of IBS you have (diarrhea or constipation) and what your triggers are.

Treatment may include changes in your diet and eating habits, mental health counseling, medications, and supplements.

Dietary changes may include increasing your fiber intake and avoiding foods and beverages that irritate your digestive system. Stress or mental health issues can be addressed with counseling, medications, or both. Your doctor may recommend fiber supplements, laxatives, probiotics, and over-the-counter medication or prescription medication to relieve stomach spasms and diarrhea.