Signs and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a functional bowel disorder in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel habit. Sensations of discomfort (bloating), distension, and disordered defecation are commonly associated features. Its difficult to diagnose and manage. It affects about 10-12% of the population globally. 
Submitted by Sanjog bhagat on 9 August 2016
IBS Symptoms Signs

The symptoms vary between individuals and some people have more severe symptoms than others. The symptoms tend to come and go – they may last for a few days or for a few months, often during times of stress or after eating certain foods.

Symptoms may include:

  • Diarrhoea (sudden and explosive episodes)
  • Constipation
  • Alternating episodes of diarrhoea and constipation
  • Stools appearing harder or very loose  
  • Abdominal pain usually occurs in the lower half of the abdomen; pain is aggravated by meals and relieved by having a bowel movement
  • Often, the person has frequent bowel movements, when they have pain and the stools are looser.

Depending on the symptoms, IBS can be subtyped or subclassified. Read about the Types of IBS. 

Changed
22/Apr/2025
Community
Kidney, Urinary, Gastro Intestinal, Liver
Condition
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Stories

  • Graphic image depicting intestines and the text Ulcerative Colitis: Quick Facts as an overlay
    Understanding Ulcerative Colitis
    Ulcerative Colitis is an auto-immune condition. Read this article to understand the symptoms, causes, treatment and management of Ulcerative Colitis What is Ulcerative Colitis It is an inflammatory disease that usually begins in the rectum and may later involve the large intestine. It is a lifelong autoimmune condition (the normal bowel bacteria provoke the immune system to attack the wall of the intestine, thus causing injury to the bowel). It is a part of the spectrum of the inflammatory…
  • Graphic design showing intestines and the text Crohn's disease quick facts
    Understanding Crohn's Disease
    Crohn’s Disease, IBD, IBS are sometimes used interchangeably. We break down Crohn’s disease, how it is different from these other conditions and explain the symptoms, causes, treatment and management of Crohn’s Disease. Overview of Crohn’s Disease  To begin with, let’s understand that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two different gastrointestinal disorders, as the terms sound similar and may have some overlapping symptoms, it may use them…
  • Stock pic of a lab test being done and a graphic of a stool sample and the text overlay When is a stool test needed
    What Does The Colour Of Your Stools Mean?
    We have all struggled with a change in consistency of stools whether it’s diarrhoea or constipation or something in between. We have also at some point seen a change in colour or texture of the stools of our kids or ourselves and wondered what that could mean. We are here to tell you everything a change in your stools could mean and when a stool test is needed. Stools or faeces are solid waste products that are formed in the large intestine and is made up of undigested food waste after the…
  • A person in a shirt and trouser holding his jacket with one hand and his stomach with another
    आईबीएस मेरी समस्या है और मुझे इससे जूझना है
    एजीएस इस बात का एक अच्छा उदाहरण हैं कि किसी को स्वास्थ्य की स्थिति से अभिभूत नहीं होना चाहिए। वे अपनी समस्या से घबराए नहीं, इसके बजाय, उन्होंने इसके लिए खाद्य पदार्थों के अनेक संयोजनों को आजमाया ताकी वे जान पाएं कि उनके शरीर के लिए क्या अच्छा है। उन्होंने स्थिति को खुद संभाला और वे इस विषय में विशेषज्ञ बन गए - अब वे दूसरों को बता सकते हैं कि वे क्या कर सकते हैं। कृपया हमें अपनी स्थिति के बारे में थोड़ा बताएं: दिन में कभी भी पेट में 5 मिनट से लेकर एक घंटे या अधिक तक बिना किसी स्पष्ट कारण के…
  • young woman with crohns with camera on her neck
    Learning To Live With The Flares And Ebbs Of Crohn's Disease
    Madhura Balasubramaniam, 27 from Chennai tried everything to manage Crohn’s disease, getting past the grossness of it. She considers the PEG tube as the best gift she has received and takes life one day at a time.   I am Madhura, a 27-year-old from India. I have a Master's degree in Development Studies and I am currently a PhD student and researcher learning more about the Tibetan exile community in India and India’s Himalayan borderlands. Please tell us a bit about your condition -…
  • A family with three generations sitting around a dining table
    बुजुर्गों के लिए भोजन में संशोधन
    जब आपके प्रियजनों की उम्र बढ़ती है, तो उनके लिए सही आहार का प्रबंध करना अधिक ज़रूरी हो जाता है, क्योंकि अधिकाँश केस में अनुचित भोजन लेना अधिक तनाव और परेशानी का कारण बनता है। इस लेख में डॉ। भुवनेश्वरी अपने माता-पिता की प्राथमिक देखभालकर्ता होने के अनुभवों के आधार पर कुछ सरल सुझाव दे रही हैं। बुजुर्गों के आहार पर ध्यान देना बहुत जरूरी है क्योंकि आहार के पैटर्न को बदलने से कुछ ऐसी सामान्य समस्याओं में सुधार हो सकता है जो कई बुजुर्गों में पायी जाती हैं. हमें इस पहलू पर अपनी भारतीय सन्दर्भ (जैसे कि…
  • The Gut-Brain Axis: How Mental Health Affects Digestive Disorders
    There is increased evidence and understanding that chronic digestive disorders like IBS, IBD and gastrophageal reflux cannot be separated from the psychological wellbeing of a person. In light of this, we spoke to Dr. Naresh Bhat, a pioneering gastroentrologist and Dr. Girish Chandra, a Psychiatrist.    Dr. Naresh Bhat, Chief of Gastroentrology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru There are several disorders which are referred as Gut Brain Axis or Functional GI disorders. They can affect…
  • Pic showing a woman holding her stomach with the text 10 tips to manage bloating
    Make Simple Changes to Avoid Bloating of the Stomach
    Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju discusses common causes which lead to bloating of the stomach and also simple ways to avoid the discomfort. It is what and how you eat matters, always. Overloading causes bloating and abdominal pain. When the body struggles to break down the food after meals, discomfort creeps in. The bacteria in the intestine will tend to feed on the sugar in the food you take in, to multiply themselves. If the sugar in the food is much higher or the food remains undigested for…
  • Stock pic of a young woman in a white tanktop behind a table of fruits and vegetables and holding up a glass of water
    A Healthy Gut for a Happy State of Mind
    By maintaining a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract, you can ward off a host of uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, flatulence and constipation and conditions like bowel cancer, Depression and IBS. Tips from Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. The importance of gut health Gut health is important. The health of the body starts with the gut to help reduce the risk of conditions like bowel cancer, constipation, etc. The food you consume is broken down to fats, proteins, and simple carbohydrates…
  • Hypnosis for Pain Relief and Anxiety Management
    Worldwide, medical hypnosis is being increasingly accepted to ease acute and chronic pain arising from burns, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis and reduction of anxiety associated with surgery. What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a state of increased suggestibility with constriction of peripheral awareness and increased focal concentration on task at hand. Heightened suggestibility is an essential characteristic in hypnosis. Hypnosis is like a meditative technique that encourages inner search and the…