Symptoms and Signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Doctor's Notes on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is known as a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning that is diagnosed based on having a set of symptoms over time affecting the movement of the gastrointestinal tract rather than a specific type of damage to the gastrointestinal tract. The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not well understood. Symptoms and signs of irritable bowel syndrome can include

• diarrhea,
• changes in bowel habits,
• constipation,
• gas,
• bloating,
• abdominal pain or cramping, and
• food intolerance.

Other associated symptoms can be

• abdominal swelling,
• nausea,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• loose stools,
• straining to have a bowel movement, and
• the presence of mucous in the stool or foamy-appearing stool.

The specific symptoms depend on the type of IBS that is present, whether constipation or diarrhea is the predominant feature.