Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term (chronic) disease, and its symptoms usually recur. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of intestinal symptoms that typically occur together and differ in severity and duration from one person to another. They may suffer from different types and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. A common disorder is also a spastic colon, mucous colitis, irritable colon, and spastic colitis that affects the large intestine.
Are IBS and IBD the same bowel condition? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have similar symptoms, but IBS is not that serious as IBD. IBS does not cause inflammation, intestinal bleeding, rectal bleeding, ulcers, permanent damage to the intestines, or IBD complications.
IBS is a mixture of belly discomfort and a lot of trouble with bowel habits. Irritable bowel syndrome should be remembered as a separate condition from inflammatory bowel disease. Irritable bowel syndrome is not a true “colitis.” The term “colitis” applies to a different group of conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, etc.
Only fewer people with IBS have severe signs and symptoms. But yes, some people can easily control their symptoms by following a healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, and most importantly, managing stress. Let’s focus on the types and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Types And Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Types Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
There are four types of the condition.
- IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
- IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
- A few people have an alternating pattern of constipation and diarrhea, termed as mixed IBS (IBS-M).
- Other people don’t fit into any of these above categories easily, called unsub typed IBS or IBS-U.
- Most common is IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), which is characterized by sudden urges to have bowel movements, along with loose and frequent stools.
Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- A lot of gas (bloating)
- Harder or looser stools than usual (pellets or flat ribbon stools)
- A belly that sticks out
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Constipation, alternating with diarrhea
- Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating are typically relieved or partially relieved by passing a bowel movement.
- Mucus in the stool
- Adults and children suffer from abdominal discomfort or pain. Abdominal cramping that is relieved with bowel movements
- People who mostly have diarrhea as a symptom are considered to have IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
- People who mostly have constipation as a symptom are considered to have IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
- Change in the stool frequency or consistency
- Passing mucus from the rectum
- Loss of appetite
- Though not a symptom of IBS, indigestion affects up to 70% of people with IBS.
Most Common Symptoms With IBS-D Include
- Loose stools
- Frequent stools
- A feeling of being unable to empty bowels
- Nausea
- Sudden urges to have bowel movements
- Abdominal pain
- Intestinal gas
- IBS with constipation (IBS-C). It is characterized by the passage of hard stools that strains during bowel movements.
Symptoms With IBS-C
- Hard, lumpy stools
- Strain during bowel movements
- Infrequent stools
Age Factor For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
It is said that IBS affects between 25 and 45 million Americans. Most of them are women and postmenopausal women too. People are most likely to get the condition in their late teens to early 40s. It is not a life-threatening disorder, but IBS can be a long-lasting problem that may disrupt your lifestyle.
Occurrence Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not contagious, inherited, or cancerous. Frequency wise, irritable bowel syndrome occurs more often in women than in men, and the onset occurs before 35. Irritable bowel syndrome can occur in 5% to 20% of children.
Read Also: 8 Common Causes Of Constipation And Risk Factors
