Irritable Bowel Syndrome

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Living With
• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

• Health Check Tools
• Test Your Knowledge

Research

• Statistics and Research
• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Teenagers
• Women
• Patient Handouts

Summary

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Others go back and forth between the two. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.

IBS is common. It affects about twice as many women as men and is most often found in people younger than 45 years. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for it. Your doctor may run tests to be sure you don't have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests, and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, probiotics, and medicine.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• Definition and Facts for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• What Is IBS? (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)

Symptoms

• Recognizing Symptoms (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Symptoms and Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Calprotectin Stool Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• 7 Tips: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Approaches (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Hypnosis for IBS (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• IBS Treatment Options (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What You Need To Know (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Medications for IBS (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Peppermint Oil (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Probiotics: Usefulness and Safety (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Psychological Treatments (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish

Living With

• Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• How to Get More Fiber in Your Diet (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
• IBS Diet (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Relaxation Techniques to Manage IBS Symptoms (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Sleep and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Travel Tips Help IBS Sufferers Enjoy Their Vacations (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF

Related Issues

• Gut Troubles: Pain, Gassiness, Bloating, and More (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish
• IBS and Non-GI Functional Disorders (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Spastic Colon: What Does It Mean? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS) (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF

Health Check Tools

• Take the IBS Test (American College of Gastroenterology) - PDF

Test Your Knowledge

• IBS Myths & Facts Quiz (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Statistics and Research

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Approaches: What the Science Says (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Diseases, Functional (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Efficacy of acupuncture treatment for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with comorbid...
• Article: Tight junction protein changes in irritable bowel syndrome: the relation of...
• Article: Perspectives on the sustained engagement with digital health tools: protocol for...
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Find a Gastroenterologist (American College of Gastroenterology)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Children

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Nemours Foundation)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish

Teenagers

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Women

• IBS in Women (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)

Patient Handouts

• Irritable bowel syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Low FODMAP diet (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish