What is IBS?
IBS is a chronic intestinal disorder that affects around 10-15% of the world's population.6
IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic intestinal disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea and/or constipation. The condition is not dangerous, but can have a major impact on quality of life.
IBS Symptoms
Do these symptoms sound familiar?
Stomach Pain
Abdominal pain and cramps are typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The pain is usually relieved by having a bowel movement.
Bloating
Bloating or a feeling of being bloated is typical for many IBS patients.
Flatulence
Flatulence is typically referred to as a symptom for IBS patients.
Diarrhoea
Some patients experience periods of diarrhea, sometimes alternating with periods of constipation.
Constipation
Some IBS patients experience periods of constipation or periods of alternating constipation and diarrhea.
IBS Subtypes
IBS-C (constipation)
This type causes slower digestion, which can lead to less frequent and difficult bowel movements.
IBS-D (diarrhea)
This type of IBS is characterized by frequent, watery stools and a sudden urge to go to the toilet.
IBS-M (mixed)
A combination of both diarrhea and constipation, where the symptoms can switch from one to the other.
IBS-U (undetermined)
Symptoms that do not fit into the other categories and that vary from person to person.
How is IBS diagnosed?
IBS is a recognised medical condition that doctors diagnose using standardised, symptom-based criteria. It is classified as a recurring functional chronic gastrointestinal bowel disorder because the gut doesn’t work quite right, even though tests don’t show any damage or disease.
The symptoms are not specific to IBS, as such symptoms can be experienced at times by almost all individuals. To distinguish IBS from short-term abdominal symptoms, experts have emphasized the chronic and recurrent nature of IBS. The most recent criteria for the FGID diagnosis, bowel disorders such as IBS, were published in 2016 (Rome IV).7
The Rome IV criteria define IBS as: Recurrent abdominal pain, at least once a week for the past 3 months, associated with 2 or more of the following criteria: Related to defecation Associated with a change in the frequency of defecation Associated with a change in the form (appearance) of stool The criteria must be met for the past 3 months with symptoms that have begun at least 6 months before diagnosis.7
What causes IBS?
The exact causes of IBS are not entirely clear, but several factors may play a role:
- Microbiota: Research shows that the bacteria in the gut of people with IBS are different from those without. An imbalance in gut bacteria may be a conributing factor.8
- Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the intestines caused by bacteria or viruses can sometimes trigger IBS.8
- Immune response: Some IBS patients have more immune cells in their intestines, even without previous infections, suggesting a possible immune reaction associated with symptoms such as pain and diarrhea.8
- The gut-brain connection: Problems with communication between the gut's nervous system and the brain can also contribute to IBS symptoms.8
Although there is no cure, ProIBS® can help relieve symptoms for those suffering from the disease.
