Irritable Bowel Syndrome: MedlinePlus

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: MedlinePlus



A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Also called: IBS, Irritable colon 

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

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Irritable bowel syndrome

Related Topics

• Digestive System

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Irritable Bowel Syndromeis the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Languages

• Arabic (العربية)
• French (français)
• Russian (Русский)
• Somali (af Soomaali)
• Spanish (español)
• Ukrainian (Українська)

• Start Here

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Patient Education Institute)
  • Also available in Spanish

• Overviews

  • Grumbling Guts?(National Institutes of Health)
  • Introduction to IBS: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Testing(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • What I Need to Know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

• Latest News

  •  Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatments Aren't One-Size-Fits-All(04/10/2014, Food and Drug Administration)

• Diagnosis/Symptoms

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor(Harvard Medical School)
  • MedlinePlus: Colonoscopy(National Library of Medicine)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Recognizing Symptoms(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)

• Treatment

  • IBS Treatment Options(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
  • Medications (for IBS)(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
  • Psychological Treatment(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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• Alternative Therapy

  • Hypnosis for IBS(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
  • Oral Probiotics(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
  • Peppermint Oil(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
  • Time to Talk: What You Should Know about IBS and Complementary Health Practices(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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• Nutrition

  • Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet(American Academy of Family Physicians)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • IBS Diet(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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• Coping

  • Are You a Gut Responder? Hints on Coping with an Irritable Bowel(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
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• Disease Management

  • Relaxation Techniques to Manage IBS Symptoms(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
  • Sleep and Irritable Bowel Syndrome(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
  • Travel Tips Help IBS Sufferers Enjoy Their Vacations(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
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• Specific Conditions

  • Post-Infectious IBS (IBS-PI)(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
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• Related Issues

  • IBS and IBD: Two Very Different Disorders(Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
  • IBS and Non-GI Functional Disorders(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Heartburn, Dyspepsia: What's the Difference?(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
  • Spastic Colon: What Does It Mean?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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• Health Check Tools

  • Take the IBS Test(American College of Gastroenterology)
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• Tutorials

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Patient Education Institute)
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Diseases, Functional(National Institutes of Health)
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• Research

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices: What the Science Says(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
  • Placebos Effectively Treat IBS Symptoms(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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• Journal Articles

  References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
  • Article: Functional bowel syndrome: also a "Crohn" disease? Commentary on: functional...
  • Article: Role of dietary FODMAPs in IBS-related symptoms.
  • Article: Indication of immune activation in patients with perceived food hypersensitivity.
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- see more articles
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• Dictionaries/Glossaries

  • Digestive Diseases Dictionary(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Directories

  • Find a Gastroenterologist(American College of Gastroenterology)
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• Organizations

  • National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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• Children

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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• Teenagers

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation)
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• Women

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Pregnancy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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• Patient Handouts

  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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