Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disturbance of the colonic function characterised by symptoms of abdominal discomfort/pain, bloating or distension and/or disturbed defecation.
Diarrhoea may often alternate with constipation. Abdominal discomfort and pain are relieved by defecation.
Over the years IBS has been referred to by other names, including mucus colitis, spastic constipation, irritable colon or functional bowel distress syndrome or in the national languages, as "Reizdarm","colica mucosa","colitis spastica","colon irritabile","prikkelbare darm syndroom" etc.. In 1988 an international congress among gastroenterologists took place in Rome where they set new definitions. Criteria were developed to diagnose IBS adequately(see "IBS diagnosis").
Irritable means that the nerve endings in the lining of the bowel are unusually sensitive, and that the nerves that control the muscles of the gut are unusually active. The result is that in the bowel the normal passage of gas and fluid is changed and that the people suffer from abdominal discomfort /pain.
Although IBS might be a serious illness for an individual with negative implications on the quality of life, it is a benign disorder.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disturbance of the colonic function characterised by symptoms of abdominal discomfort/pain, bloating or distension and/or disturbed defecation.
