What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal (GI)
disorder, meaning it is a problem caused by changes in how the GI tract
works. People with a functional GI disorder have frequent symptoms, but
the GI tract does not become damaged. IBS is not a disease; it is a
group of symptoms that occur together. The most common symptoms of IBS
are abdominal pain or discomfort, often reported as cramping, along with
diarrhea, constipation, or both. In the past, IBS was called colitis,
mucous colitis, spastic colon, nervous colon, and spastic bowel. The
name was changed to reflect the understanding that the disorder has both
physical and mental causes and is not a product of a person’s
imagination.
IBS is diagnosed when a person has abdominal pain or discomfort at
least three times per month for the last 3 months without other disease
or injury that could explain the pain. The pain or discomfort of IBS may
occur with a change in stool frequency or consistency or may be
relieved by a bowel movement.
IBS is often classified into four subtypes based on a person’s usual
stool consistency. These subtypes are important because they affect the
types of treatment that are most likely to improve the person’s
symptoms. The four subtypes of IBS are
- IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
- hard or lumpy stools at least 25 percent of the time
- loose or watery stools less than 25 percent of the time
- IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
- loose or watery stools at least 25 percent of the time
- hard or lumpy stools less than 25 percent of the time
- Mixed IBS (IBS-M)
- hard or lumpy stools at least 25 percent of the time
- loose or watery stools at least 25 percent of the time
- Unsubtyped IBS (IBS-U)
- hard or lumpy stools less than 25 percent of the time
- loose or watery stools less than 25 percent of the time
What is the GI tract?
The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting
tube from the mouth to the anus. The movement of muscles in the GI
tract, along with the release of hormones and enzymes, allows for the
digestion of food. Organs that make up the GI tract are the mouth,
esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine—which includes the
appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum—and anus. The intestines are
sometimes called the bowel. The last part of the GI tract—called the
lower GI tract—consists of the large intestine and anus.
The large intestine absorbs water and any remaining nutrients from
partially digested food passed from the small intestine. The large
intestine then changes waste from liquid to a solid matter called stool.
Stool passes from the colon to the rectum. The rectum is located
between the last part of the colon—called the sigmoid colon—and the
anus. The rectum stores stool prior to a bowel movement. During a bowel
movement, stool moves from the rectum to the anus, the opening through
which stool leaves the body.
The lower GI tract
How common is IBS and who is affected?
Irritable bowel syndrome is estimated to affect 3 to 20 percent of
the population, with most studies ranging from 10 to 15 percent. However, less than one-third of people with the condition see a health care provider for diagnosis. IBS affects about twice as many women as men and is most often found in people younger than 45 years.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
The symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or discomfort and changes
in bowel habits. To meet the definition of IBS, the pain or discomfort
should be associated with two of the following three symptoms:
- start with bowel movements that occur more or less often than usual
- start with stool that appears looser and more watery or harder and more lumpy than usual
- improve with a bowel movement
Other symptoms of IBS may include
- diarrhea—having loose, watery stools three or more times a day and feeling urgency to have a bowel movement
- constipation—having hard, dry stools; three or fewer bowel movements in a week; or straining to have a bowel movement
- feeling that a bowel movement is incomplete
- passing mucus, a clear liquid made by the intestines that coats and protects tissues in the GI tract
- abdominal bloating
Symptoms may often occur after eating a meal. To meet the definition of IBS, symptoms must occur at least 3 days a month.
What causes IBS?
The causes of IBS are not well understood. Researchers believe a
combination of physical and mental health problems can lead to IBS. The
possible causes of IBS include the following:
- Brain-gut signal problems. Signals between the
brain and nerves of the small and large intestines, also called the gut,
control how the intestines work. Problems with brain-gut signals may
cause IBS symptoms, such as changes in bowel habits and pain or
discomfort.
- GI motor problems. Normal motility, or
movement, may not be present in the colon of a person who has IBS. Slow
motility can lead to constipation and fast motility can lead to
diarrhea. Spasms, or sudden strong muscle contractions that come and go,
can cause abdominal pain. Some people with IBS also experience
hyperreactivity, which is an excessive increase in contractions of the
bowel in response to stress or eating.
- Hypersensitivity. People with IBS have a lower
pain threshold to stretching of the bowel caused by gas or stool
compared with people who do not have IBS. The brain may process pain
signals from the bowel differently in people with IBS.
- Mental health problems. Mental health, or
psychological, problems such as panic disorder, anxiety, depression, and
post-traumatic stress disorder are common in people with IBS. The link
between these disorders and development of IBS is unclear. GI disorders,
including IBS, are often found in people who have reported past
physical or sexual abuse. Researchers believe people who have been
abused tend to express psychological stress through physical symptoms.
- Bacterial gastroenteritis. Some people who have
bacterial gastroenteritis—an infection or irritation of the stomach and
intestines caused by bacteria—develop IBS. Researchers do not know why
gastroenteritis leads to IBS in some people and not others, though
psychological problems and abnormalities of the lining of the GI tract
may be factors.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Normally, few bacteria live in the small intestine. SIBO is an increase
in the number of bacteria or a change in the type of bacteria in the
small intestine. These bacteria can produce excess gas and may also
cause diarrhea and weight loss. Some researchers believe that SIBO may
lead to IBS, and some studies have shown antibiotics to be effective in
treating IBS. However, the studies were weak and more research is needed
to show a link between SIBO and IBS.
- Body chemicals. People with IBS have altered
levels of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the body that
transmit nerve signals, and GI hormones, though the role these chemicals
play in developing IBS is unclear. Younger women with IBS often have
more symptoms during their menstrual periods. Post-menopausal women have
fewer symptoms compared with women who are still menstruating. These
findings suggest that reproductive hormones can worsen IBS problems.
- Genetics. Whether IBS has a genetic cause,
meaning it runs in families, is unclear. Studies have shown that IBS is
more common in people with family members who have a history of GI
problems. However, the cause could be environmental or the result of
heightened awareness of GI symptoms.
- Food sensitivity. Many people with IBS report
that certain foods and beverages can cause symptoms, such as foods rich
in carbohydrates, spicy or fatty foods, coffee, and alcohol. However,
people with food sensitivity typically do not have clinical signs of
food allergy. Researchers have proposed that symptoms may result from
poor absorption of sugars or bile acids, which help break down fats and
get rid of wastes in the body.
How is IBS diagnosed?
To diagnose IBS, a health care provider will conduct a physical exam
and take a complete medical history. The medical history will include
questions about symptoms, family history of GI disorders, recent
infections, medications, and stressful events related to the onset of
symptoms. For IBS to be diagnosed, the symptoms must have started at
least 6 months prior and must have occurred at least 3 days per month
for the previous 3 months. Further testing is not usually needed, though
the health care provider may do a blood test to screen for other
problems. Additional diagnostic tests may be needed based on the results
of the screening blood test and for people who also have signs such as
- fever
- rectal bleeding
- weight loss
- anemia—too few red blood cells in the body, which prevents the body from getting enough oxygen
- family history of colon cancer, irritable bowel
disease—long-lasting disorders that cause irritation and ulcers, or
sores, in the GI tract—or celiac disease—an immune disease in which
people cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and
barley, because it will damage the lining of their small intestine and
prevent absorption of nutrients
Additional diagnostic tests may include a stool test, lower GI
series, and flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Colonoscopy may also
be recommended for people who are older than 50 to screen for colon
cancer.
Stool tests. A stool test is the analysis of a
sample of stool. The health care provider will give the person a
container for catching and storing the stool. The sample is returned to
the health care provider or a commercial facility and sent to a lab for
analysis. The health care provider may also do a rectal exam, sometimes
during the physical exam, to check for blood in the stool. Stool tests
can show the presence of parasites or blood.
Lower GI series. A lower GI series is an x-ray exam
that is used to look at the large intestine. The test is performed at a
hospital or outpatient center by a radiologist—a doctor who specializes
in medical imaging. The health care provider may give the person written
bowel prep instructions to follow at home. The person may be asked to
follow a clear liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before the procedure. A
laxative or enema may be used before the test. A laxative is medication
that loosens stool and increases bowel movements. An enema involves
flushing water or laxative into the anus using a special squirt bottle.
For the test, the person will lie on a table while the radiologist
inserts a flexible tube into the person’s anus. The large intestine is
filled with barium, making signs of problems with the large intestine
that may be causing the person’s symptoms show up more clearly on x
rays.
For several days, traces of barium in the large intestine cause
stools to be white or light colored. Enemas and repeated bowel movements
may cause anal soreness. A health care provider will provide specific
instructions about eating and drinking after the test.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. The tests
are similar, but a colonoscopy is used to view the rectum and entire
colon, while a flexible sigmoidoscopy is used to view just the rectum
and lower colon. These tests are performed at a hospital or outpatient
center by a gastroenterologist—a doctor who specializes in digestive
diseases. For both tests, a health care provider will give written bowel
prep instructions to follow at home. The person may be asked to follow a
clear liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before either test. The night before
the test, the person may need to take a laxative. One or more enemas may
also be required the night before and about 2 hours before the test.
In most cases, light anesthesia, and possibly pain medication, helps
people relax. For either test, the person will lie on a table while the
gastroenterologist inserts a flexible tube into the anus. A small camera
on the tube sends a video image of the intestinal lining to a computer
screen. The test can show signs of problems in the lower GI tract.
The gastroenterologist may also perform a biopsy, a procedure that
involves taking a piece of intestinal lining for examination with a
microscope. You will not feel the biopsy. A pathologist—a doctor who
specializes in diagnosing diseases—examines the tissue in a lab.
Cramping or bloating may occur during the first hour after the test.
Driving is not permitted for 24 hours after a colonoscopy to allow the
sedative time to wear off. Before the appointment, a person should make
plans for a ride home. Full recovery is expected by the next day.
How is IBS treated?
Though there is no cure for IBS, the symptoms can be treated with a combination of the following:
- changes in eating, diet, and nutrition
- medications
- probiotics
- therapies for mental health problems
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition
Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea, so eating smaller meals
more often, or eating smaller portions, may help IBS symptoms. Eating
meals that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as pasta,
rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables, may help.
Certain foods and drinks may cause IBS symptoms in some people, such as
- foods high in fat
- milk products
- drinks with alcohol or caffeine
- drinks with large amounts of artificial sweeteners, which are substances used in place of sugar
- foods that may cause gas, such as beans and cabbage
People with IBS may want to limit or avoid these foods. Keeping a
food diary is a good way to track which foods cause symptoms so they can
be excluded from or reduced in the diet.
Dietary fiber may lessen constipation in people with IBS, but it may
not help with lowering pain. Fiber helps keep stool soft so it moves
smoothly through the colon. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
recommends consuming 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day for adults.
Fiber may cause gas and trigger symptoms in some people with IBS.
Increasing fiber intake by 2 to 3 grams per day may help reduce the risk
of increased gas and bloating.
Medications
The health care provider will select medications based on the person’s symptoms.
- Fiber supplements. Fiber supplements may be recommended to relieve constipation when increasing dietary fiber is ineffective.
- Laxatives. Constipation can be treated with
laxative medications. Laxatives work in different ways, and a health
care provider can provide information about which type is best for each
person.
- Antidiarrheals. Loperamide has been found to reduce diarrhea in people with IBS, though it does not reduce pain, bloating, or other symptoms.
Loperamide reduces stool frequency and improves stool consistency by slowing the movement of stool through the colon.
- Antispasmodics. Antispasmodics, such as hyoscine, cimetropium, and pinaverium, help to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain.
- Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in low doses can
help relieve IBS symptoms including abdominal pain. In theory, TCAs
should be better for people with IBS-D and SSRIs should be better for
people with IBS-C due to the effect on colon transit, but this has not
been confirmed in clinical studies. TCAs work in people with IBS by
reducing sensitivity to pain in the GI tract as well as normalizing GI
motility and secretion.
- Lubiprostone (Amitiza). Lubiprostone is
prescribed for people who have IBS-C. The medication has been found to
improve symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort, stool consistency,
straining, and constipation severity.
The antibiotic rifaximin can reduce abdominal bloating by treating
SIBO. But scientists are still debating the use of antibiotics to treat
IBS, and more research is needed.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms, usually bacteria, that are
similar to microorganisms normally found in the GI tract. Studies have
found that probiotics, specifically Bifidobacteria and certain
probiotic combinations, improve symptoms of IBS when taken in large
enough amounts. But more research is needed. Probiotics can be found in
dietary supplements, such as capsules, tablets, and powders, and in some
foods, such as yogurt. A health care provider can give information
about the right kind and right amount of probiotics to take to improve
IBS symptoms.
Therapies for Mental Health Problems
The following therapies can help improve IBS symptoms due to mental health problems:
- Talk therapy. Talking with a therapist may reduce
stress and improve IBS symptoms. Two types of talk therapy used to treat
IBS are cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic, or
interpersonal, therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the
person’s thoughts and actions. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on how
emotions affect IBS symptoms. This type of therapy often involves
relaxation and stress management techniques.
- Hypnotherapy. In hypnotherapy, the therapist
uses hypnosis to help the person relax into a trancelike state. This
type of therapy may help the person relax the muscles in the colon.
- Mindfulness training. People practicing this
type of meditation are taught to focus their attention on sensations
occurring at the moment and to avoid worrying about the meaning of those
sensations, also called catastrophizing.
What other conditions are associated with IBS?
People with IBS often suffer from other GI and non-GI conditions. GI
conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dyspepsia
are more common in people with IBS than the general population. GERD is a
condition in which stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus—
the organ that connects the mouth to the stomach—because the muscle
between the esophagus and the stomach is weak or relaxes when it should
not. Dyspepsia, or indigestion, is upper abdominal discomfort that often
occurs after eating. Dyspepsia may be accompanied by fullness,
bloating, nausea, or other GI symptoms.
Non-GI conditions often found in people with IBS include
- chronic fatigue syndrome—a disorder that causes extreme fatigue,
which is tiredness that lasts a long time and limits a person’s ability
to do ordinary daily activities
- chronic pelvic pain
- temporomandibular joint disorders— problems or symptoms of the
chewing muscles and joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull
- depression
- anxiety
- somatoform disorders—chronic pain or other symptoms with no physical cause that are thought to be due to psychological problems
How does stress affect IBS?
Stress can stimulate colon spasms in people with IBS. The colon has
many nerves that connect it to the brain. These nerves control the
normal contractions of the colon and cause abdominal discomfort at
stressful times. In people with IBS, the colon can be overly responsive
to even slight conflict or stress. Stress makes the mind more aware of
the sensations that arise in the colon. IBS symptoms can also increase a
person’s stress level. Some options for managing stress include
- participating in stress reduction and relaxation therapies such as meditation
- getting counseling and support
- taking part in regular exercise such as walking or yoga
- minimizing stressful life situations as much as possible
- getting enough sleep
Points to Remember
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal
(GI) disorder, meaning it is a problem caused by changes in how the GI
tract works. People with a functional GI disorder have frequent
symptoms, but the GI tract does not become damaged.
- IBS is not a disease; it is a group of
symptoms that occur together.
- IBS is estimated to affect 3 to 20 percent of the population, with
most studies ranging from 10 to 15 percent. However, less than one-third
of people with the condition see a health care provider for diagnosis.
- The symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or discomfort and changes in bowel habits. Other symptoms of IBS may include
- diarrhea
- constipation
- feeling that a bowel movement is incomplete
- passing mucus
- abdominal bloating
- The causes of IBS are not well understood. Researchers believe a
combination of physical and mental health problems can lead to IBS.
- To diagnose IBS, a health care provider will conduct a physical
exam and take a complete medical history. The medical history will
include questions about symptoms, family history of GI disorders, recent
infections, medications, and stressful events related to the onset of
symptoms.
- Though there is no cure for IBS, the symptoms can be treated with a combination of the following:
- changes in eating, diet, and nutrition
- medications
- probiotics
- therapies for mental health problems
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/
