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.
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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.
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.
The symptoms of IBS can vary from person to person. These can also change in the same person at different times. Such symptoms include:
Sometimes people experience underlying symptoms which may appear unrelated but can be signs of IBS. These may include:
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:
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.
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.
Also, tell your doctor about any personal or family history of gastrointestinal diseases that you have, such as cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Your GP may refer you to an IBS specialist who can help you identify your triggers, symptoms and discuss ways to manage your symptoms.
OneWelbeck 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.
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:
Specific diets have shown benefits for some IBS patients. These include:
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:
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 OneWelbeck, you can also refer yourself to our private centre to confirm your IBS diagnosis and find out how to treat and manage your symptoms.
At OneWelbeck, 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 OneWelbeck 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.
Get in touch today to book an appointment. 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 OneWelbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at OneWelbeck.
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We have brought together a group of leading colorectal and general surgeons and gastroenterologists to create our Digestive Health team. With over 300 years of combined experience, these expert clinicians are the best in their field and are all focused on delivering the very best patient care.