IBS symptoms
About Basic IBS Symptoms
IBS symptoms, your best guide to symptoms of IBS. Learn the signs and symptoms of IBS or the Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are important to understand as it is your group of symptoms that helps the doctor diagnose IBS.
The main symptoms include stomach cramps and diarrhea, constipation and bloating. The stomach cramp symptoms associated with IBS are often in the lower abdomen, although can occur in any part.
There's no diagnostic test for IBS, although investigations are often undertaken to exclude other conditions that can present with similar symptoms to IBS.
Sufferers over the age of 45 years are normally investigated further as other causes for the symptoms can include
Colon Cancer early symptoms
and Ovarian Cancer in women. Infections, IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease), Coeliac disease, Diverticular disease and rarer bowel conditions can present with symptoms similar to IBS, particularly abdominal pain symptoms.
It is always important to seek advice from a health care professional for peace of mind and to discuss any need for further bowel investigations.
You can read more about the signs and symptoms of IBS as well as investigations on IBS Help Online.
IBS
can be with chronic
constipation
(commonly called Constipation-Predominant IBS or
IBS-C
) or diarrhea (called Diarrhea-Predominant IBS or
IBS-D
).
However, there’s often a mixture of the two symptoms known as
IBS-A
or alternating symptoms, with stool size in the chronic constipation group ranging from small pellets ('rabbit pellet stool') to a more solid, large stool of variable solidity.
They can all be associated with
colon spasms
. Diarrhea is usually watery to very soft, brown stool.
Irritable Bowel symptoms can occur after a bout of
stomach flu symptoms
(acute bowel infection) and is known as IBS-PI or post-infectious IBS. This form of IBS can settle, although it can become more chronic.
Symptoms can occr at anytime, but are most common in the morning. 'Urgency' to go to the toilet, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel (doctors call this tenesmus) often coincide.
Symptoms Not Associated With IBS
Symptoms of
rectal bleeding in IBS
, weight loss, anaemia, going off your food should always be investigated further as they are not
symptoms associated with IBS
.
Bleeding can occur in IBS, particularly with
constipation
due to trauma or hemorrhoids, but should still be considered for investigation.
If there is a family history of chronic bowel disease or bowel cancer, this should be a consideration for further investigation as well.
Curiously, basic IBS symptoms usually occur during the daytime only Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms at night or 'nocturnal' symptoms are unusual and should always be investigated further to exclude organic causes for your symptoms which are more common in this situation.
Abdominal pain symptoms
or stomach cramps can be either diffuse or occur in areas or quadrants of the abdomen, often in the lower abdomen (left, right or both). The pain can be colicky, spasm or sharp. They are often more of a vague discomfort.
Sometimes symptoms of stomach cramps and diarrhea are so intense that IBS sufferers can be admitted to hospital with features of other ‘acute abdomen’ problems although this is uncommon.
Symptoms usually, although not always, ease with passing a bowel motion. The pain is often associated with
bloating
or swelling of the abdomen.
The colon or large bowel produces a natural lubricant called
bowel mucus
and this is sometimes quite excessive in IBS sufferers. Concern is often raised about mucus symptoms although it is rarely a symptom of more serious disease. It is however a common reason for referral to a
gastroenterologist.
More vague symptoms of headache, nausea, lethargy,
indigestion symptoms,
tiredness
,
physical symptoms of anxiety attacks
, increased urination and general aches & pains are also Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms.
Other conditions are commonly seen in IBS including fibromyalgia symptoms and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Other Web Pages On This Site That May Interest You
More symptoms of IBS
IBS investigation
IBS treatment
Chronic stomach pain
Mucus slime bowel movements
Black diarrhea
Tiredness
Rectal bleeding in IBS
IBS signs and symptoms
IBS rome
Help for IBS
Fibromyalgia symptoms list
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia
Free health professional directory
Why Don't You Discuss Your Symptoms With Others In The IBS Symptoms Forum?
IBS Symptoms Forum
Welcome to our IBS SYMPTOMS forum!
You can ask questions to other sufferers, find ways to cope with symptoms of IBS or comment on nearly anything related to your symptoms to share with other forum visitors.
This is a great place to find others who have experienced the same problems you have and to learn more! 
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Summary of Basic IBS symptoms
Below is a summary of the main Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms:
• Diarrhea • Nausea
• Constipation • Lethargy
• Alternating diarrhea & constipation • Tiredness
• Wind • Muscle aches
• Bloating • Urine frequency
• Incomplete feeling of bowel evacuation • Headaches
• Abdominal pain • Reflux
• Mucus • Anxiety
I hope this page has given you a better insight in to the signs and symptoms of IBS.
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