Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms


IBS symptoms are what characterize the disorder. There is no cure, but there are very helpful IBS treatments. IBS symptoms can be successfully treated. (Focusing on diet? Go straight to a printable IBS diet cheat sheet for managing symptoms. Or, take immediate control of your IBS symptoms with the IBS Diet Kit.)




Interestingly, IBS affects far more women than men; seventy-five percent of people diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are women. However, IBS symptoms, IBS diagnosis protocols, and IBS treatments are the same for women and men.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a disease. It's a functional disorder, which means that the bowel simply does not work as it should. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized as a brain-gut dysfunction. As a part of this dysfunction, the gastrocolic reflex goes awry.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome - What Are IBS Symptoms? It's important to verify that your symptoms match those of IBS before you accept this diagnosis. As noted, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by its symptoms: continuous or recurrent lower abdominal pain or cramping (from mild to excruciating) in association with altered bowel motility (diarrhea, constipation, or both).



IBS Symptoms in Women

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms in Women For both men and women, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by its symptoms:
  • Lower abdominal pain or discomfort
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Gas and bloating are common IBS symptoms in women
IBS symptoms in women include chronic but intermittent lower abdominal pain or discomfort in association with diarrhea, constipation, or both. However, IBS symptoms in women tend to be more severe than IBS symptoms in men, though symptoms can be successfully treated.

Gas and bloating are common IBS symptoms in women, but vomiting isn't, though it can occur due to nausea from the pain. Upper GI symptoms are not a typical part of the syndrome, though women with IBS are statistically more prone to GERD and acid reflux.

For women, IBS symptoms are affected by hormonal fluctuations.

Passing blood, running a fever, swollen extremities, and joint pain are never symptoms of IBS in women, and point to other disorders.

IBS Diagnosis

What Symptoms and Diseases Need to Be Ruled Out For an IBS Diagnosis? In essence, the diagnosis of IBS is a process of exclusion. There is no medical test available that will be positive for IBS; instead, your doctor will test you for all other illnesses that can mimic IBS symptoms, and if those tests are negative, and if your symptoms fit the Rome Guidelines for Diagnosis, you'll then be diagnosed with IBS. In particular, it's important that the following diseases are excluded before you accept a diagnosis of IBS:

  • Colon, carcinoid, and medullary thyroid cancers
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis)
  • Bowel obstructions
  • Diverticulosis / Diverticulitis
  • Gallstones and Idiopathic Bile Acid Malabsorption
  • Intestinal malrotation
  • Bacterial infections and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Intestinal parasites
  • Endometriosis
  • Ovarian cancer

What Tests Does a Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Require?


Complete blood count, sedimentation rate, and chemistries
Blood and/or breath tests for fructose, and lactose intolerances
Breath test for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Stool for ova, parasites, and blood
Liver function tests
Rectal exam
Abdominal x-rays



What is NOT Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

* IBS is not an inflammatory bowel disease.

* IBS is not parasites.

* IBS is not candida or yeast.

* IBS is not a bacterial infection.

* IBS is not toxins.

* IBS does not lead to colon cancer.

* IBS does not lead to Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis.

* IBS does not lead to autoimmune disorders such as arthritis or lupus.

Points to Remember about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Its Symptoms


* IBS is a physical, not psychological, syndrome.


* IBS does not damage the bowel.

* IBS cannot be self-diagnosed.

* A doctor should diagnose IBS based on your symptoms and the elimination of other possible diseases through various medical tests.

* Stress and foods (particularly fats, insoluble fibers, and GI irritants) can trigger symptoms, but the underlying pathology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is caused by a brain-gut dysfunction.

* Some of the most common approaches to IBS - colon cleanses, flushes, laxatives, insoluble fiber, psyllium - can make IBS symptoms worse, not better.

Once you have a firm IBS diagnosis, take heart. While there is no cure yet, there are many ways to successfully manage - and prevent - all IBS symptoms. You can control your IBS, not vice versa.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms

If you've been given an IBS diagnosis, at your next follow-up appointment with your physician take along this list of Questions to Ask Your Doctor About IBS.


Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms


Once you're confident that you've been properly diagnosed with IBS, there are several key IBS treatments for successfully managing symptoms:

* Follow the explicit IBS diet guidelines and IBS safe recipes

* Learn stress management through hypnotherapy for IBS or yoga practice for IBS


* Find the most helpful IBS supplements for specific symptoms

* Come join the IBS community to ask questions on our expert-moderated (and very friendly!) IBS message boards

You can also explore reputable medical studies on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its symptoms in the IBS Research Library, which includes departments on:

Herbs, Probiotics, & Supplements
Alternative Therapies (Yoga, Acupuncture, etc.)
Brain-Gut Dysfunction
General Bowel Dysfunction

IBS information excerpted from The First Year: IBS and from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIH


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