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.
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See AnswerREFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.