What is IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional disorder involving the intestines, specifically the large intestine. People with IBS seem to have a disturbance in how the brain, the intestines, and the nervous system communicate. What that means is that somehow or the other, the bowels just do not seem to work the way they should.

IBS sufferers often experience a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pains, stomach cramps, bloating, loose or frequent bowel movements (diarrhea), and/or constipation.

The causes of IBS are poorly understood and remain unidentified, but for the most part we do know what makes IBS worse. For example, we know that IBS symptoms tend to be exacerbated by stress and diet. A few lifestyle changes in these departments will go a long way in alleviating the symptoms involved.