Do I Have IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be an extremely uncomfortable and painful condition whose precise cause is not yet fully understood. There are many potential triggers to IBS that vary from person to person and symptoms usually come and go. Multiple treatment options exist including medication and supplements, but most find they are able to control symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine in the body. The most common, and usually mild, symptoms include cramping, bloating, or constipation. IBS affects approximately 10 to 15 percent of the world’s population, the majority being under the age of 50 years old. The exact cause of IBS is not yet known but it appears that symptoms result from an irritation in the way the gut, brain, and nervous system interact. 

IBS can reduce one’s quality of life, cause one to miss out on school or work, and have a substantial economic impact. IBS can be further split into three different categories:

• IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Most of your poop is hard and lumpy.
• IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D): Most of your poop is loose and watery.
• IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): You have both hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements on the same day.

Symptoms of IBS

IBS is unpredictable as symptoms can vary and be contradictory depending on the type of IBS. Common mild symptoms of IBS include:

• Abdominal Pain and Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Alternating Constipation and Diarrhea
• Changes in Bowel Movements
• Gas and Bloating
• Fatigue and Difficulty Sleeping

More severe and often debilitating symptoms of IBS include:

• Weight loss
• Diarrhea at night
• Rectal bleeding
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Unexplained vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent pain that isn't relieved by passing gas or a bowel movement

*For severe symptoms, it is suggested to see a doctor as soon as possible. This Mira article outlines when one should go to urgent care to treat IBS symptoms.