Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Some people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon or mucous colitis, have spasms in the colon that affect bowel movements. Constipation and diarrhea often alternate, and abdominal cramping, gassiness, and bloating are other common complaints.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that comes and goes. Nerves that control the muscles in the intestine do not function correctly. The intestine becomes sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress, causing abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea.

Although IBS can produce lifelong symptoms, it is not a life threatening condition.

IBS often worsens with stress, but there is no specific cause or anything unusual that the doctor can see in the colon.

Source: digestive.niddk.nih.gov – July 2007