Gas is caused by swallowing air and the breakdown of food in your digestive tract. The consequences are usually burping, feeling bloated, or passing gas. On average, most people pass gas at least 14 times per day. Some people have more gas than others, which may be uncomfortable or embarrassing.
The primary symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort in association with frequent diarrhea or constipation and a change in bowel habits. There may also be urgency for bowel movements, a feeling of incomplete evacuation (tenesmus), bloating, or abdominal distension.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly known as IBS, causes the muscles of the large intestine to contract continuously which results in severe cramping and boughts of diarrhea or constipation. The conditions can cause excessive amounts of gas and often prove embarrassing for the sufferer. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of people suffer from IBS, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Sufferers often experience more extreme bouts during times of stress or unrest.