Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common long-term condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It's essential to understand the signs and symptoms of IBS so you can spot any potential warning signs and know when you need to get checked out.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term (chronic) condition of the gastrointestinal tract that involves frequent abdominal pain (tummy ache) and/or bowel symptoms. These symptoms include abdominal (tummy) cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition – around 1 in 5 people in the UK will experience IBS at some point in their lives. It can affect anyone at any age, but it often first develops in young adults, in their teens or twenties, and can continue from time to time throughout life.
Women are twice as likely as men to have IBS. Many women find that signs and symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.
IBS does not increase the chances of bowel cancer and does not make a person more likely to develop other colon conditions, such as colitis, Crohn’s disease, or other cancers. However, if you think you may have IBS, you should see a doctor. IBS may need long-term care and management.
What causes IBS?
The cause of IBS is not known. Some IBS experts think it relates to changes in how the bowel moves and contracts or changes in how it senses pain. IBS is a functional disorder, which means that the digestive system looks normal, but it doesn’t work properly. IBS may also be called spastic colon or spastic bowel.
Diet, stress, poor sleep and changes in the bowel bacteria may all trigger symptoms of IBS. However, these triggers are different for each person. This makes it difficult to find out which foods or activities people should avoid.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
The symptoms of IBS can vary from person to person. These can also change in the same person at different times. Such symptoms include:
abdominal cramps (tummy cramps)
bloating
diarrhoea
constipation
excess gas
mucus in the stool
Sometimes people experience underlying symptoms which may appear unrelated but can be signs of IBS. These may include:
trouble urinating, especially if it feels like you can’t finish
These symptoms are sometimes referred to as the Manning criteria for IBS.
Some people may find themselves with some of these less common symptoms on top of the main symptoms previously mentioned.
Changes in bowel habits may also be associated with IBS. These include:
straining to empty your bowels
infrequent stools (poo)
hard or lumpy stools
a feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
a feeling of a ‘blockage’ preventing you from passing stools
Some people have occasional mild symptoms, while others have more severe symptoms (flare-ups) over a longer time. In some cases, these signs and symptoms may improve or disappear completely.
How is IBS diagnosed?
There are no laboratory tests or imaging tests that can confirm a diagnosis of IBS. So, an IBS diagnosis is based on an in-depth medical history, a physical examination and assessment of your symptoms.
IBS is diagnosed when repeated abdominal pain (tummy ache) lasts for at least 6 months, combined with weekly abdominal pain for 3 months. This diagnosis also involves a combination of tummy pain that is associated with changes in the frequency or form of your bowel movements.
Your GP may refer you to an IBS specialist who can help you identify your triggers, symptoms and discuss ways to manage your symptoms.
Welbeck Digestive Health in London can provide you with fast, high-quality services to investigate the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. We also provide private gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures, without the need for an overnight stay.
IBS Tests
Although IBS cannot be confirmed with a test, your GI specialist may recommend some tests to rule out other diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, cancer of the ovary or a gut infection.
Symptoms of these other diseases can be similar to IBS and may lead to the wrong diagnosis. These additional tests include:
IBS patients who come to our clinic are matched with leading digestive health specialists who use the latest technologies to help understand IBS on an individual level. Our patient-centred clinic is attuned to each patient’s needs, delivering an experience that's tailored to you for the best results.
IBS is a lifelong condition, therefore, knowing how to adapt and live a healthier life can have vast improvements on your quality of life.
What are the treatment options for IBS?
IBS is not a life-threatening condition; however, it can affect your quality of life. While no treatment is likely to cure IBS symptoms completely, it can often help to ease symptoms, improve your bowel function and enhance your quality of life.
Treatments of IBS can include dietary changes, lifestyle changes, psychosocial therapy and medicines.
Dietary Changes
Some people find that certain foods can trigger the symptoms of IBS. However, the specific foods that lead to symptoms can vary from person to person. Making the following changes in your diet may help to reduce symptoms:
increase soluble fibre in your diet (oats, wholemeal bread, fortified breakfast cereals)
cut down on caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks
reduce your intake of processed foods, such as crisps, oven chips, biscuits and cakes
increase fluid intake (mostly water) to at least 8 cups each day
avoid the artificial sweetener sorbitol if you have diarrhoea
Specific diets have shown benefits for some IBS patients. These include:
the ‘low FODMAP’ diet – a diet that is low in certain fermentable sugars, which should be tried with the help of a dietitian
the gluten-free diet – a diet that excludes certain proteins found in many grains
Working with a dietitian can be helpful to better understand your possible food triggers and identify diets that exclude certain foods to reduce these triggers while also getting all your important nutrients.
Lifestyle Changes
General recommendations for IBS lifestyle changes include:
doing regular exercise
getting more sleep
psychological therapies
keeping a daily diary for 2 to 4 weeks of your symptoms, what you eat, your medicines and your activities to identify and avoid things that trigger your IBS
Psychological Therapies
Stressful situations, such as family problems, work stress or examinations, may trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Psychological therapies can be effective for some people with IBS. Examples of psychological therapies are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), hypnotherapy and psychotherapy.
Medications for IBS
Many medicines for IBS are available over the counter from pharmacies. However, remember that treatment of one IBS symptom may make another symptom worse. For example, medicines for diarrhoea can cause constipation and increase pain and bloating.
Speak to your pharmacist about the most suitable over-the-counter treatment for you.
Your GP may refer you to an IBS specialist if you have severe IBS symptoms and other medicines haven’t helped. At Welbeck, you can also refer yourself to our private centre to confirm your IBS diagnosis and find out how to treat and manage your symptoms.
Why choose Welbeck?
At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
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Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
The exact reason why women are more likely to experience IBS isn’t fully understood. However, a combination of biological, hormonal, and psychosocial factors contribute to it. Fluctuations and changes in female hormones across the menstrual cycle are thought to play a role. Stress responses and differences in brain-gut signalling may also increase vulnerability to IBS in women.
Is IBS a dangerous disease?
While IBS can be chronic, it’s not considered a dangerous disease as it’s not life-threatening. Studies consistently show that IBS does not cause damage to the bowel, increase the risk of cancer, or shorten life expectancy. While IBS can significantly affect quality of life due to its symptoms, it’s a functional disorder, meaning the gut looks normal and there is no ongoing tissue injury.
When should I see a doctor about IBS?
We recommend making an appointment with one of our consultant gastroenterologists if you've been experiencing symptoms of IBS for several weeks with no improvement. You should make an urgent appointment if you also experience any of the following: rectal bleeding, blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, a lump in your tummy, fever, or vomiting.
Is IBS a disability?
IBS is not automatically classified as a disability. However, it can be considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010 in the UK, depending on your specific circumstances and the impact of the condition on your daily life.
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