IBS

What is IBS?

IBS stands for ‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome’ – an umbrella term that describes lots of different digestive issues. You might experience symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhoea and constipation that can come and go, or last for longer periods of time.

It’s usually a lifelong condition that can be frustrating and embarrassing to live with, and can have a real impact on your day to day life. The causes of IBS are often unknown, but it can be caused by food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, an over sensitive digestive system, stress, anxiety and a family history of the condition.

While IBS can’t necessarily be cured, there are lots of treatments that you can take to help with your symptoms, as well as lifestyle changes that some people find reduce the severity of them.

Who gets IBS?

Anyone can get IBS at almost any time of their life. Even if you haven’t previously experienced it before or have no family history of IBS, there’s no guarantee that you won’t develop it at some point. It’s more common in women than in men and it tends to start when you’re under 50.

How common is IBS?

Because IBS is a group of symptoms (some of which can vary quite a lot) rather than a single condition, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how common it is. It’s thought that it affects around 10% of the world’s population at any given time, and it seems to be more common in young people and women. ^[1]

What causes IBS?

The precise cause of IBS isn’t always known, partly because it isn’t just one condition.

The cause can be genetic, stress, anxiety, over sensitivity of the gut, certain foods, infections (such as a severe bout of gastroenteritis) or changes to your natural gut microbes. Though it’s often an intolerance to certain foods that triggers flare-ups.

There can also be other factors that play a role in IBS, including muscle contractions in the intestines, poorly coordinated signals between the brain and your intestines, and abnormalities in your nervous system. Early life stress, particularly in childhood, is also thought to have a connection to IBS.^[1] Research has also shown that the neurotransmitter: serotonin, may be important in the symptoms of IBS – by altering the function of nerve cells in the bowel and causing changes in pain sensation and bowel function.^[2]

What are the symptoms of IBS?

The symptoms of IBS can vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of IBS include:

• stomach pain or
• cramps
• bloating
• diarrhoea
• a sudden need to go to the toilet
• constipation

These symptoms may get better or worse through the day, and usually link to whether you’ve eaten and if you’ve been to the toilet.

Some other symptoms of IBS that people experience include:

• wind
• passing mucus from your bottom
• tiredness and feeling low on energy
• feeling sick
• backache or muscle aches
• problems with passing urine (you might need to go often, more than normal, have sudden urges to go to the toilet or feel like you can’t fully empty your bladder)
• not feeling in control of when you need to go to the toilet
• incontinence

Can IBS lead to other problems?

Unless it’s being caused by a more severe condition, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or coeliac disorder (a severe intolerance to gluten in the body), it’s unlikely it will lead to anything more serious. If you have concerns about your symptoms then it’s always best to speak to a clinician.

Some IBS symptoms can lead to other problems. Constipation can lead to haemorrhoids, for example, and diarrhoea to dehydration and problems absorbing vitamins and minerals. These conditions and symptoms can have a major effect on your mental health, confidence and feeling in control of your life.