Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Overview
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self-Care at Home
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medical Treatment
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet and Lifestyle Changes
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Prevention
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Prognosis
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Irritable Bowel Syndrome from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Irritable Bowel Syndrome - How Was Diagnosis Established
• Viewer Comments: Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Symptoms

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Overview

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder of unknown cause. Common symptoms include abdominal cramping or pain, bloating and gassiness, and altered bowel habits.

Irritable bowel syndrome has also been called spastic colon, functional bowel disease, and mucous colitis. However, IBS is not a true "colitis." The term colitis refers to a separate group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Irritable bowel syndrome is not contagious, inherited, or cancerous. It is estimated that 20% of adults in the U.S. have symptoms of IBS. It occurs more often in women than in men, and the onset occurs before the age of 35 in about half of the cases.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes

The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is currently unknown. IBS is thought to result from an interplay of abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) tract movements, increased awareness of normal bodily functions, and a change in the nervous system communication between the brain and the GI tract. Abnormal movements of the colon, whether too fast or too slow, are seen in some, but not all, people who have IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome has also developed after episodes of gastroenteritis.

It has been suggested that IBS is caused by dietary allergies or food sensitivities, but this has never been proven.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome may worsen during periods of stress or menses, but these factors are unlikely to be the cause that leads to the development of IBS.