Irritable Bowel Syndrome

(IBS, Functional Bowel Disorder, Spastic Bowel, Spastic Colon)

The Facts

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the intestine, causing abdominal pain with constipation, diarrhea, or alternating periods of both. IBS is also known as spastic colon or spastic bowel (terms that have fallen out of favour now) and functional bowel disorder. It's sometimes mistaken for colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that is actually a more serious condition involving damage to the colon. IBS doesn't do any damage to the colon.

IBS affects about 10% to 20% of the population and is second only to the common cold as the most frequent cause of days lost to work and school. IBS symptoms can disappear for periods of time and then return. They usually start in the late teens or early 20s.

Unlike inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), IBS brings no extra risk of cancer of the colon. However, if symptoms of IBS begin in people over age 50, it's best to rule out polyps and colon cancer by having a direct inspection of the lower bowel done by a doctor.

The Causes

The cause of IBS isn't known, but it's currently thought to be due to the large and small intestines over- or under-sensing factors that may lead to abnormal bowel function. It is also thought to be influenced by psychological and social factors. For people with IBS, some situations may trigger pain and discomfort:

emotional stress
eating
excessive gas
female hormones (for menstruating people with IBS, symptoms often worsen during periods)
certain medications and food (e.g., alcohol, chocolate, coffee, dairy products, fatty foods, fructose, carbohydrates)
sometimes IBS develops after a bout of gastroenteritis
for some people, an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can lead to IBS

Symptoms And Complications

Symptoms of IBS include:

abdominal pain and cramps, which may come in "on-again, off-again" bouts or as a continuous dull ache
constipation or diarrhea, or alternating periods of both
urgent need to have a bowel movement
excessive gas
bloating
changes in bowel habits
mucus in the stool

Blood in the stool is never a symptom of IBS. People who have blood in their stool, constant pain, vomiting, weight loss, or who have a fever should see a doctor. For other possible causes of these symptoms, refer to our disease articles on Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and hemorrhoids.

Making A Diagnosis

A doctor will get a medical history and perform a physical exam, looking for "alarm" symptoms like fever, bleeding, or drastic weight loss that could be due to something more serious.

X-rays or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy (using a tube with a tiny camera on the end) may be used to look inside the colon, especially for older individuals. Sometimes, abdominal ultrasounds or X-rays of the intestines are done.

There is no specific test for irritable bowel syndrome. A diagnosis is generally based on a history of characteristic bowel patterns, abdominal pain, and the exclusion of other diseases.

Treatment And Prevention

People with IBS can usually manage symptoms by making adjustments to their lifestyle. Treatment is usually aimed at managing specific symptoms. Increasing dietary fibre may be helpful, particularly if you suffer from constipation. Dietary fibre (such as whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables) prevents stools from drying out too much and helps to keep things moving regularly in the colon.

Switching to a high-fibre diet might cause bloating and gas at first, but this usually goes away in a few weeks and can be reduced by making a gradual change to the amount of fibre consumed. It's also important to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, to prevent or reduce constipation. Other people find that avoiding certain food triggers can lessen their symptoms. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help reduce cramping and diarrhea.

Since stress can bring on symptoms of IBS, stress management is an important way to deal with this condition. Exercise and some kind of relaxation training (such as meditation) are often recommended.

Your doctor might also suggest talking with a counsellor to learn how to cope better. If you experience other symptoms such as anxiety, talk to your doctor on how to manage your condition.

Medication for IBS is aimed at treating symptoms. Medications are available to slow down the movement of food through the digestive system and to control diarrhea. Laxatives are sometimes helpful for problem constipation, but people should not depend on them for regular bowel movements. Antidiarrhea medications (e.g., loperamide, diphenoxylate-atropine*) may be helpful for people who have mostly diarrhea as a symptom. Other medications are available depending on the types of symptoms you are experiencing and your doctor can discuss them with you.
Probiotics are bacteria that normally live in your intestines and found in certain foods, so they are considered "good" bacteria. Some studies suggest that IBS may be due to an imbalance or disruption of the normal "good" bacteria that's present in the intestines. Probiotics may help the symptoms experienced by people with IBS by restoring this balance. However, further research into the use of probiotics in IBS needs to be done, as only certain strains of bacteria are proving to be beneficial.

For many people with IBS, doctors prescribe tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., nortriptyline, desipramine) to help reduce IBS symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. Although studies have not shown a significant benefit, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are also sometimes used for people who have both IBS and anxiety or depression.

Probiotics are bacteria that normally live in your intestines and found in certain foods, so they are considered "good" bacteria. Some studies suggest that IBS may be due to an imbalance or disruption of the normal "good" bacteria that's present in the intestines. Probiotics may help the symptoms experienced by people with IBS by restoring this balance. However, further research into the use of probiotics in IBS needs to be done, as only certain strains of bacteria are proving to be beneficial.

*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.