What are the symptoms of IBS?
The main symptoms of IBS include: • crampy pain in the stomach area • painful constipation – infrequent stools that may be hard and dry • painful diarrhea – frequent loose stools Most people have either diarrhea or constipation, but some people have both. Other symptoms include: • mucus in the stool • swollen or bloated stomach area • feeling like you haven’t finished a bowel movement • gas • heartburn • discomfort in the upper stomach area or feeling uncomfortably full or nauseous after eating a normal size meal Some women with IBS have more or different symptoms during their menstrual periods. Constipation may be relieved or diarrhea may occur in the day or two before or when their period starts.
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.
The gut disturbances found in IBS can produce symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating or a sense of gaseousness, and altered bowel habits (diarrhea and/or constipation). Abdominal pain and/or discomfort is the key symptom of IBS and is often relieved or reduced with a bowel movement. Symptoms can come and go, and even change, over time.
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.
