Irritable Bowel Syndrome: MedlinePlus

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: MedlinePlus

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Also called: IBS, Irritable colon 

Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

07/05/2016 04:06 PM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms and Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

07/05/2016 04:06 PM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

07/05/2016 04:06 PM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

07/05/2016 04:06 PM EDT

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Irritable bowel syndrome

National Institutes of Health

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

Languages

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

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

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 orcolonoscopy. 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

Start Here

• Definition and Facts for Irritable Bowel Syndrome  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)Available in Spanish
• Grumbling Guts?  (National Institutes of Health)
• Introduction to IBS (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (American Academy of Family Physicians)Available in Spanish
• What I Need to Know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome   (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - PDF

Symptoms

• Recognizing Symptoms (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Symptoms and Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Diagnosis and Tests

• Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• MedlinePlus: Colonoscopy  (National Library of Medicine)Available in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• 6 Tips: IBS and Complementary Health Practices  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Hypnosis for IBS (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• IBS Treatment Options (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatments Aren't One-Size-Fits-All (Food and Drug Administration)
• Medications (for IBS)  (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Peppermint Oil  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Probiotics: In Depth  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Psychological Treatment (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Living With

• Are You a Gut Responder? Hints on Coping with an Irritable Bowel (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Irritable Bowel Syndrome  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• IBS Diet (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• 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)

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)
• Spastic Colon: What Does It Mean? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Specifics

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

Health Check Tools

• Take the IBS Test (American College of Gastroenterology) - PDF

Statistics and Research

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices: What the Science Says  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Clinical Trials

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

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Hot Topics in Primary Care: Individualizing Pharmacologic Management of Irritable...
• Article: Dry Eye Syndrome Risks in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A National...
• Article: Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled...
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Find a Gastroenterologist (American College of Gastroenterology)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 

Children

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

Teenagers

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Nemours Foundation)

Women

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

Patient Handouts

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