There are a wide range of symptoms for IBS. Although chronic and disordered bowel habit are the cardinal features, there are also a large number of non-colonic symptoms that may occur.
Symptoms thay may be present in patients with IBS
Major symptoms
Associated symptoms
Abdominal pain
diarrhoea
constipation
abdominal distension or flatulence
rectal mucus
sensation of incomplete evacuation
pain eased after defecation
more frequent stools with onset of pain
looser stools with onset of pain
Other symptoms (sometimes related to IBS) Upper gastrointestinal
Outside the gastrointestinal tract
heartburn
dyspepsia
nausea
early satiety
excessive belching
urinary frequency
dysuria, nocturia
dysmenorrhoea
fatigue
headache
backache
Abdominal pain: the pain can fluctuate considerably in intensity and frequency. It can be chronic or frequently recurring or there can be pain-free periods or only mild discomfort.
It can take many forms: it can be nagging, colicky, sharp or dull.
Abdominal pain after a meal is a frequent complaint, together with bloating, excessive flatulence and exacerbation of diarrhoea. Pain is often relieved after defecation.
Defecatory symptoms: The types of disturbed bowel habit associated with IBS include diarrhoea, constipation or an alternation of the two.
Patients also often suffer from a feeling of incomplete evacuation (emptying).
Abdominal distension: The abdominal distension can occur from a mild swelling of the belly to a very large one. It is often accompanied by audible bowel sounds or excessive flatulence.
The cause of IBS is unknown. However, it is generally believed to involve an underlying disturbance of colonic motility (smooth muscle spasm).
