What are the symptoms of IBS?
The most common symptoms that IBS patients complain of are: frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain (usually in the lower abdomen area), gas, bloating, diarrhea alternating with constipation, mucus in the stool, bowel urgency or incontinence, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement. Since IBS is considered mainly to be a disorder of the lower gastrointestinal tract, the symptoms tend to remain located below the navel. However, several symptoms of the upper gastrointestinal tract have also been shown to be common in those with IBS, including: difficultly swallowing, a sensation of a lump in the throat or a closing of the throat, heartburn or acid indigestion, nausea (with or without vomiting), and chest pain. A number of expert investigators during a meeting in Rome,Italy, developed a consensus definition and criteria for IBS, known as the “Rome” criteria. At least 3 months of continuous or recurrent symptoms of: 1. Abdominal pain or discomfort, e.g.: a. Relieved with de
IBS often begins before the age of 35, Symptoms of IBS may include • Constipation – infrequent stools that may be hard, dry, and painful • Diarrhoea – frequent loose stools • Crampy pain in the stomach • Swollen or bloated stomach area • Mucus in the stool Feeling mentally or emotionally tense, troubled, angry, or overwhelmed may also trigger symptoms in people with IBS. Often IBS is just a mild annoyance, but for some people it can be disabling. They may be afraid to go to social events, to go out to a job, or to travel even short distances.
The most common symptoms that IBS patients complain of are: frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain (usually in the lower abdomen area), gas, bloating, diarrhea alternating with constipation, mucus in the stool, bowel urgency or incontinence, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement. Since IBS is considered mainly to be a disorder of the lower gastrointestinal tract, the symptoms tend to remain located below the navel. However, several symptoms of the upper gastrointestinal tract have also been shown to be common in those with IBS, including: a sensation of a lump in the throat, heartburn or acid indigestion and nausea (with or without vomiting). A number of expert investigators during a meeting in Rome, Italy, developed a consensus definition and criteria for IBS, known as the “Rome” criteria. At least 3 months of continuous or recurrent symptoms of: • Abdominal pain or discomfort, • Relieved with defecation and/or • Associated with a change in frequency of stool; and/o
