Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Others go back and forth between the two. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.
IBS is common. It affects about twice as many women as men and is most often found in people younger than 45 years. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for it. Your doctor may run tests to be sure you don’t have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests, and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, probiotics, and medicine.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.
Definition and Facts for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
What Is IBS?
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
Calprotectin Stool Test
National Library of Medicine
Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic
National Library of Medicine
Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
7 Tips: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Approaches
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Hypnosis for IBS
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
IBS Treatment Options
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What You Need To Know
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Medications for IBS
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
Peppermint Oil
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Probiotics: What You Need to Know
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Psychological Treatments
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Featured Articles
September 18, 2023
Tenapanor (IBSRELA) for Treatment of IBS-C: Effective Over 26 Weeks
Conventionally, patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are subgrouped based on their predominant bowel habit. Given the relevance of psychological comorbidity to IBS symptoms, our aim was to explore an alternative approach to subgrouping by incorporating factors beyond stool form and frequency.
September 18, 2023
A Novel Method to Classify and Subgroup Patients With IBS Based on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Psychological Profiles
Conventionally, patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are subgrouped based on their predominant bowel habit. Given the relevance of psychological comorbidity to IBS symptoms, our aim was to explore an alternative approach to subgrouping by incorporating factors beyond stool form and frequency.
September 18, 2023
ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent, chronic disorder that significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Advances in diagnostic testing and in therapeutic options for patients with IBS led to the development of this first-ever American College of Gastroenterology clinical guideline for the management of IBS using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.
September 18, 2023
6 IBS Myths Debunked by a Gastroenterologist
IBS can often be a misunderstood condition, so we invited Brian Lacy, PhD, MD, FACG on our podcast to provide his expert knowledge on all-things IBS. In this article we will debunk the most common myths surrounding IBS.
Featured Podcast Episodes
September 18, 2023
How Camp Oasis Changes the Lives of Kids With IBD
We’re excited to shine a light on the wonderful work The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is doing with Camp Oasis, a summer sleep-away camp designed for kids living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Joining us on this episode are Becky Johnson Rescola, the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as well as Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Steven Steiner, who is the Medical Director of Camp Oasis in Michigan. We discuss the benefits Camp Oasis has provided attendees based on the findings of a recent study. We also answer some common questions parents have about what they and their children can expect from the Camp Oasis experience.
September 18, 2023
How Do I Live Well With IBS?
If you or a loved one are living with IBS, you don’t want to miss this episode! GI Psychologist Dr. Megan Riehl and Registered Dietitian Kate Scarlata introduce their new book, Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS. Teaming together for the ultimate multidisciplinary approach to understanding GI conditions like IBS, Megan and Kate explain what readers can expect from the book, offer tips for navigating the misleading health claims on social media and share some tools for living your best life with IBS.
September 18, 2023
What Does “Feeling Better” Mean To You? The IBS-C Provider Perspective
What does a doctor really mean when they ask a patient “are you feeling better”? We asked! In this special compilation episode brought to you by Ardelyx, we gathered a group of healthcare providers across the multidisciplinary spectrum to break down what signs they look for when assessing if a patient is improving with their IBS-C diagnosis. From symptom relief and management, to quality of life, these providers share a range of ideas on how to help their patients thrive with this chronic condition.
Featured Videos
September 18, 2023
How Camp Oasis Changes the Lives of Kids With IBD
We’re excited to shine a light on the wonderful work The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is doing with Camp Oasis, a summer sleep-away camp designed for kids living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Joining us on this episode are Becky Johnson Rescola, the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as well as Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Steven Steiner, who is the Medical Director of Camp Oasis in Michigan. We discuss the benefits Camp Oasis has provided attendees based on the findings of a recent study. We also answer some common questions parents have about what they and their children can expect from the Camp Oasis experience.
September 18, 2023
How Do I Live Well With IBS?
If you or a loved one are living with IBS, you don’t want to miss this episode! GI Psychologist Dr. Megan Riehl and Registered Dietitian Kate Scarlata introduce their new book, Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS. Teaming together for the ultimate multidisciplinary approach to understanding GI conditions like IBS, Megan and Kate explain what readers can expect from the book, offer tips for navigating the misleading health claims on social media and share some tools for living your best life with IBS.
Gastro Girl’s Favorite Things
Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS
Two IBS experts—a New York Times bestselling author and a renowned GI psychologist—offer a groundbreaking, holistic approach with the most[…]
Making Sense of IBS: A Physician Answers Your Questions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS, which affects almost one in six Americans, is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation. Today[…]
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