What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?
- Pain and discomfort may occur in different parts of the abdomen. Pain usually 'comes and goes'. The length of each bout of pain can vary greatly. The pain often eases when you pass stools (motions or faeces) or wind. Many people with IBS describe the pain as a 'spasm' or 'colic'. The severity of the pain can vary from mild to severe, both from person to person, and from time to time in the same person.
- Bloating and swelling of your abdomen may develop from time to time. You may pass more wind than usual.
- Stools (sometimes called motions or faeces)
- Some people have bouts of diarrhoea that alternate with bouts of constipation.
- Sometimes the stools become small and pellet like. Sometimes the stools become watery or ribbony, and at times mucus may be mixed with the stools.
- Many people have a feeling of not fully emptying their rectum after going to the toilet.
- Some people have urgency, which means you have to get to the toilet quickly. A 'morning rush' is common. That is, you feel an urgent need to go to the toilet several times shortly after getting up. This is often during and after breakfast.
- Other symptoms sometimes occur and include: nausea (feeling sick), headache, belching, poor appetite, tiredness, backache, muscle pains, feeling quickly 'full' after eating, heartburn, and bladder symptoms (an associated 'irritable bladder').
Some people have occasional mild symptoms. Others have unpleasant symptoms for long periods. Many people fall somewhere in between, with flare-ups of symptoms from time to time. Some doctors group people with IBS into one of three categories:
- Those with abdominal pain or discomfort, and the other symptoms are mainly bloating and constipation.
- Those with abdominal pain or discomfort, and the other symptoms are mainly urgency to get to the toilet and diarrhoea.
- Those who alternate between constipation and diarrhoea.
However, in practice, many people will not fall neatly into any one category, and considerable over-lap occurs.
Note: passing blood is not a symptom of IBS. You should tell a doctor if you pass blood.
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Mary, over 2 years
this was a really easy page to follow thank you so much I just wonder is it natural to have gnawing pains in the tummy I have suffered with ibs for several years now but just lately i seem to be having more spasms
Report this commentmrs susan beckett, over 2 years
I found your article very informative and easy to understand. I wanted to know what foods to avoid, to stop my di arrhoea. My condition is getting me down. But now i know how common IBS is, im not alone.
Report this commentMoira Rodgers, over 2 years
Would be interestd to know if anyone with Ibs had any symptoms similar to mine, as in: Very distinct "salty" taste in the mouth appearing to rise from the stomach, feeling sated after very little food, symptoms seem more acute at night. Many thanks ...................... Moira.
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jennifer, about 1 year
I found it very east to follow your article thank you very much. I would like to say i`ve had IBS everyday for over 2years now and its like a prison sentence in the mornings to me because im only in my early 20`s. i hate leaving the house encase i need the toilet. i have to make sure ive been to the toilet afew times before i take my medication but when i have my medication it like heaven knowing i go out for alittle bit without having to run to a toilet. Thank you so much Jennifer
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