OVERVIEW
IBS is different for everyone.
With that in mind, GoodPath takes a personalized approach to creating gastrointestinal (GI) care kits. Click below to get a well-rounded care plan in just 3-4 minutes.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome may be better known as IBS. A closer look at each of these three words is a helpful way to understand the condition.
Irritable
The bowel can be irritable the same way a person can be. When a person is irritable they may be more sensitive than usual. They may be disagreeable and easily get upset. The same is true for an irritable bowel.
Bowel
Bowel refers to the large and small intestines (also called bowels). The bowels are part of the gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive tract. In the case of IBS, “bowel” refers to the large bowel or large intestine (also called the colon).
Syndrome
Syndrome is a medical term that means a group of symptoms that occur together. The most common symptoms of IBS are:
Diarrhea
Constipation
Both diarrhea and constipation
Abdominal (belly) pain
It's a common condition.
About 1 out of 10 people in the world have IBS. While it is not passed genetically, IBS tends to occur more often within families.
Only 1 out of 3 people with symptoms of IBS actually go to see a doctor.
IBS affects more women than men.
It is more common in adults under 50 years old.
This page has been reviewed by the GoodPath medical team. Medical Writer: Beth Holloway, RN, M. Ed; Medical Reviewer: Roukoz Abou-Karam, MD; Updated: February 2020.
What are the types of IBS?
The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) describes 4 types of irritable bowel syndrome:
IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
On the days when someone has at least one abnormal bowel movement, they have:
More than 1 in 4 stools that are hard or lumpy
Less than 1 in 4 stools that are loose or watery
IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
On the days when someone has at least one abnormal bowel movement, they have:
Less than 1 in 4 stools that are hard or lumpy
More than 1 in 4 stools that are loose or watery
IBS with mixed symptoms (IBS-M)
On the days when someone has at least one abnormal bowel movement, they have:
More than 1 in 4 stools that are hard or lumpy
More than 1 in 4 stools that are loose or watery
The fourth type IBS is unclassified (IBS-U). This means a person’s bowel habits don’t fit into one of the other categories.
Doctors don't know the exact cause.
But, most believe that IBS is related to a combination of different factors. Some of these may be early life events, increased bowel sensitivity, and difficulty dealing with stress.
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder
IBS is called a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. Since IBS is a functional GI disorder, it interferes with the way the gastrointestinal (GI) system normally works, it’s function. IBS cannot be seen on scans or scoping procedures because there aren’t any changes to the actual tissue of the large intestine.
There is ongoing research to better understand the causes of IBS and similar disorders. For example, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts clinical trials on IBS.
The Gut-Brain Connection
With functional GI disorders, there are problems with the way the brain and intestine work together. This is called the gut-brain connection.
It may be that the movement of digested food through the intestine, the way the nerves of the intestine respond, or the way the brain controls these functions isn’t normal. The immune response of the lining of the intestine (part of the body’s response to harm), as well as the normal bacteria in the intestine may also be abnormal.
TREATMENTS
There are many paths to feeling better.
Treating IBS depends on a number of different factors – including a person’s medical history and symptoms. For example, a person with diarrhea may need a different treatment than someone with constipation.
Although prescription medicines may be used to treat IBS symptoms, there are also treatments that don’t require prescriptions. These include over-the-counter medicines; herbals and botanicals; supplements, vitamins, and minerals; dietary changes; and other therapies.
In some cases, a single treatment will relieve symptoms. Yet, some people with IBS may use a combination of treatments to get relief. For instance, someone with constipation, bloating, and gas might need over-the-counter medicines, probiotics, and dietary changes.
Anatomy of the Digestive Tract
Large Bowel (Intestine)
The bowel refers to the gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive tract. It is part of the gastrointestinal system. It is made up of the small and large intestines or bowels. Bowel in IBS is referring to the large bowel or intestine, also known as the colon. So the focus here is on the lower gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive tract.
The large bowel or colon starts where the small intestine ends (the ileum). It is the ileum that attaches to the first part of the large bowel. The first part of the large bowel is called the cecum. (If you or someone you know has had appendicitis, this is where the appendix is located!).
From the cecum, the large bowel goes up the right side, the ascending colon; across the top, the transverse colon; and then down the left side of the abdomen, the descending colon. It then curves, the sigmoid colon; and becomes the rectum, then the anus.
Structure of Intestinal Wall
The large bowel is about 5 feet long.
It is made up of 4 layers, all with different purposes. The muscle layer helps move digested food through the colon. The moist, inner layer, or the lining of the intestine, is a mucus membrane. It produces mucus, which helps to protect the lining.
PREVENTION
How Does IBS Go Away?
Today, there isn’t a cure to IBS. Treatment is based on individual symptoms – which commonly come and go. These symptoms may also be more or less severe over time.
Some people may have symptoms most of the time, even with treatment. But, treatment usually helps to lessen symptoms. Symptoms may go away in some people without any treatment.
Note: Though it’s easy to confuse the terms, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) are different. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are two inflammatory bowel diseases. IBS and IBD may have similar symptoms but would be treated differently.