Quick Overview
- IBS is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder
- It involves recurrent abdominal pain with changes in bowel habits
- There is no single diagnostic test
- IBS can significantly affect quality of life
- Management focuses on symptom control, not cure
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder. It is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort associated with changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or alternating patterns.
IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms rather than a single definitive test. Internationally accepted criteria, including Rome IV, are commonly used. While IBS does not shorten life expectancy, it can significantly affect quality of life, including daily activities and work.
Common Symptoms
Verified symptoms of IBS include:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both
- Bloating or abdominal distention
- Urgency to have a bowel movement
- Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
- Mucus in the stool
Symptoms may occur in episodes, with periods of improvement or relative remission. IBS symptoms are commonly influenced by food intake and emotional stress.
IBS has also been shown to overlap with anxiety and depression, though available evidence does not establish that these conditions directly cause IBS.
IBS Subtypes
Healthcare professionals classify IBS based on the most common bowel pattern:
- IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
- IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
- IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)
- IBS unclassified (IBS-U)
This classification helps describe symptom patterns. Evidence that subtypes permanently remain stable over time is limited.
Causes and Contributing Factors
High-quality evidence indicates that:
- The exact cause of IBS is not fully understood
- IBS is associated with visceral hypersensitivity
- Disruption of gut–brain communication plays a role
- IBS may develop after a gastrointestinal infection (post-infectious IBS)
- Psychological stress is a recognized contributing factor
Multiple mechanisms may be involved simultaneously.
How IBS Is Diagnosed
IBS is diagnosed using a symptom-based approach, supported by clinical history:
- There is no single laboratory or imaging test that can diagnose IBS
- Diagnosis is based on characteristic symptoms and the exclusion of other diseases
- Clinicians look for alarm features that suggest another condition and may prompt further testing
Symptoms IBS Does Not Typically Cause
The following findings are considered red flags and usually prompt additional medical evaluation:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Rectal bleeding
- Anemia
- Symptoms that awaken a person from sleep
- Onset of symptoms later in adulthood
These features are generally not due to IBS and warrant further investigation.
Treatment and Symptom Management
There is no cure for IBS. Verified management strategies focus on symptom control and may include:
- Dietary changes, including identifying and avoiding individual trigger foods
- Medications chosen based on dominant symptoms (e.g., diarrhea or constipation)
- Psychological therapies, such as counseling, when appropriate
- Probiotics, which may help some individuals
Management often involves more than one approach, depending on symptom patterns.
Living With IBS
Some people with IBS are able to tolerate symptoms well and continue daily routines, while others experience greater disruption. Symptom severity and impact on quality of life vary between individuals.
When to See a Doctor
You should seek medical evaluation if:
- IBS-like symptoms are new, persistent, or worsening
- You experience alarm features such as weight loss, rectal bleeding, anemia, or nighttime symptoms
These findings may indicate a condition other than IBS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is IBS diagnosed?
IBS is diagnosed based on symptom patterns and by ruling out other conditions. There is no single definitive test.
Are there tests that confirm IBS?
No. Laboratory and imaging tests cannot confirm IBS, but they may be used to exclude other diseases.
Can IBS affect quality of life?
Yes. IBS can significantly affect quality of life, including work and daily activities.
Is IBS caused by stress?
Stress is a contributing factor, but it is not the sole cause of IBS.
Can IBS cause fever or chills?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting this.
Can IBS cause skin rashes?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting this.
Can IBS cause sepsis?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting this.
Is IBS an emergency condition?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting IBS itself as an emergency condition. However, alarm symptoms should be medically evaluated.
Is there a cure for IBS?
There is no cure for IBS. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms.
APA Reference List
American College of Gastroenterology. (n.d.). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://gi.org/topics/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Symptoms, causes & treatment. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4342-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs
Lacy, B. E., Pimentel, M., Brenner, D. M., Chey, W. D., Keefer, L. A., Long, M. D., & Moshiree, B. (2021). ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 116(1), 17–44. https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024, October 11). Irritable bowel syndrome—Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Irritable bowel syndrome—Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360064
MedlinePlus. (2025, April 21). Irritable bowel syndrome. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000246.htm
National Health Service. (n.d.). Diet, lifestyle and medicines for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/diet-lifestyle-and-medicines/
National Health Service. (n.d.). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/treatment
Rome Foundation. (n.d.). Rome IV criteria. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://theromefoundation.org/rome-iv/rome-iv-criteria/
StatPearls Publishing. (2025, November 30). Irritable bowel syndrome. In StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534810/