IBS is a formally diagnosed condition, and a person will need to undergo various tests to ensure that they do not have another, potentially more serious condition that is causing the symptoms.

People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome may experience abdominal pain, bloating, gas, altered bowel habits such as urgency to defecate, constipation, diarrhea or alternating between constipation and diarrhea. However, no structural or pathologic abnormalities are found in the intestines with IBS.

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Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder of the intestines. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome differ from individual to individual.

Some people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome complain of infrequent bowel movements while others experience frequent loose stools. Some People feel crampy urges to defecate but find themselves unable to do so. They either cannot eliminate stools or are able to eliminate only a small amount.

For those that experience diarrhea it can effect their home and work life, as the need to go to the bathroom can sometimes some on at unexpected times (although mostly after meals).

Many patients’ experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea and symptoms can subside for few months and then return while some people report a constant worsening of symptoms over time.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome match with a number of gastrointestinal conditions and diseases. Therefore a physician has to rule out a number of conditions before diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome is not an inflammatory bowel disease. No inflammation of any internal organ occurs with irritable bowel syndrome. However, some studies have shown that irritable bowel syndrome occurs more with some pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Some studies have proved that the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome are hypersensitivity and increased motor reactivity in the large intestine, often triggered by diet and stress.

In IBS sufferers the digestive track rhythm is more rapid and irregular compared to a person who does not have the condition. The muscles of the bowel wall go into spasm and hinder the movement of digested food. This leads to constipation, diarrhea, or both.

Sometimes, specific foods, allergies, diet and stress can trigger irritable bowel syndrome flare-ups. The hypersensitivity is also the basis of abdominal pain/discomfort in a patient.

There also seems to be a link between IBS and anxiety, with one study suggesting that approximately 60% of the people studied with IBS also has one or more psychological disorders like anxiety or depression. I is not known if the IBS leads to the psychological disorders or vice versa.

To diagnosis irritable bowel syndrome, the physician needs to rule out other possible conditions. Generally, physician take a detail medical history and will perform a physical exam to see if there is any damage to intestines and may suggest further laboratory tests to look for the presence of blood, bacteria, and parasites in feces.

After the physical exam and other laboratory tests, if the physician finds no sign of any other disease, he may diagnose irritable bowel syndrome. For treatment, physician may recommend dietary changes or medications depending on the symptoms.

If you are also experiencing a symptom for irritable bowel syndrome, you should consult a physician to identify the cause before looking to self-treat your symptoms.