Irritable Bowel Syndrome

(Functional Colitis; IBS; Intestinal Neurosis; Irritable Colon; Laxative Colitis; Mucous Colitis; Spastic Colon)

by Debra Wood, RN
En Español (Spanish Version)
More InDepth Information on This Condition
Definition
Causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention

Definition

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder of the intestines. IBS does not cause inflammation and does not lead to a more serious condition.

Causes

The cause is unknown. With IBS, the muscles in the colon do not work normally and may spasm. If you have IBS, your colon may be more sensitive and react strongly to food and medicine. Food allergies and certain bacteria may add to the symptoms. IBS may also occur after having the stomach flu.

Risk Factors

IBS is more common in women. It typically begins in young adulthood. Factors that may increase your chances of IBS:

  • Family members with IBS
  • Mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression
  • Abuse (may be associated with IBS)

Symptoms

Symptoms usually come and go, and range from mild to severe. They include:

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Gas and bloating
  • Pain that resolves with a bowel movement
  • Loose stools
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Alternating diarrhea and constipation
  • Urge to move bowels again immediately following a bowel movement
  • Mucus in the stool

These factors may worsen your symptoms:

  • Stress
  • Menstrual periods
  • Large meals or fatty foods
  • Excess gas

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. In many cases, a diagnosis can be made based on this. Since there is no test for IBS, doctors have created a checklist to make a diagnosis.

Stool and blood tests may be done to rule out other problems. Images of the bowel may also be taken with:

Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy scope

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Treatment

There is no cure for IBS. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms.

Diet

The following changes to your diet may help control symptoms:

  • Food diary to track what is eaten and how body responds. Care team can help to assess diary.
  • Gradual changes to diet and tracking changes, if any.
  • Meeting with dietitian to make balanced meal while removing problem foods.

Foods that are more likely to cause problems include:

  • High fat foods, spicy foods
  • Dairy products
  • Onions, cabbage, and other gas-producing food
  • Large amounts of alcohol or caffeine

Foods that may reduce risk of spasm include:

Exercise and Stress Management

Regular exercise can help improve bowel function and other IBS symptoms.

Stress and tension can make symptoms worse. Relaxation techniques may help lower response to stress.

Learning about IBS and talking to others with IBS may also ease stress.

Medication

Medicine may help to manage symptoms. Choices may include:

  • Antispasmodic agent
  • Antibiotics
  • High-fiber bulking agent
  • Antiflatulent—gas relief
  • Antidiarrheal agent
  • Low-dose antidepressant
  • Pain reliever
  • Serotonin receptor agonists and antagonists (also called 5-HT3 antagonists)—May be helpful for treating diarrhea, as well as treating other IBS symptoms, like abdominal pain in women.
  • Probiotics —Bacteria that help rebalance the normal bacteria in the colon. There are many probiotics available, but not all have been tested. The most common include Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, as well as various mixtures.
  • Peppermint oil

Prevention

There are no current guidelines for preventing IBS because the cause is unknown.

RESOURCES:

American College of Gastroenterology
http://gi.org

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
https://www.niddk.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
http://www.cdhf.ca

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

REFERENCES:

Drossman DA. Treatment for bacterial overgrowth in the irritable bowel syndrome. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145(8):626-628.

Halvorson HA, Schlett CD, Riddle MS. Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome—a meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101(8):1894-1899.

Irritable bowel syndrome. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons website. Available at: https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/irritable-bowel-syndrome-0. Accessed January 10, 2021.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113627/Irritable-bowel-syndrome-IBS. Accessed January 10, 2021.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome. Accessed January 10, 2021.

Murch S. Allergy and intestinal dysmotility—evidence of genuine causal linkage? Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2006;22(6):664-668.

Probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T474265/Probiotics-for-irritable-bowel-syndrome. Accessed January 10, 2021.

Rubin G, De Wit N, Meineche-Schmidt V, Seifert B, Hall N, Hungin P. The diagnosis of IBS in primary care: consensus development using nominal group technique. Fam Pract. 2006;23(6):687-692.

Yan F, Polk DB. Probiotics as functional food in the treatment of diarrhea. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2006;9(6):717-721.

4/22/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance hthttp://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113627/Irritable-bowel-syndrome-IBS: Johannesson E, Simrén M, Strid H, Bajor A, Sadik R. Physical activity improves symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(5):915-922.

Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daus Mahnke, MD  Last Updated: 1/20/2021