IBS is a functional GI disorder meaning there are no signs of the disease that can be objectively seen or measured, and routine medical tests used to diagnose GI disorders such as colonoscopy, upper endoscopy (EGD), ultrasound, cross sectional imaging (CT), MRI, blood and stool studies, are often normal. Yet, the GI tract is not functioning normally.
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is NOT the same as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (or IBD), Crohn’s disease, or Ulcerative colitis.
IBS is a cluster of symptoms most commonly:
Abdominal pain, discomfort, or cramping that comes and goes and improves after a bowel movement
Bloating, gas, or distention
Diarrhea and/or constipation
A change in bowel habits from what was previously normal for you, including altered stool frequency or form, increased straining with bowel movements, and/or urgency to have a bowel movement.
With IBS-D (diarrhea predominance) you might notice frequent, loose bowel movements while awake, sometimes with a sudden urge to go to the bathroom, and sometimes with mucous seen mixed in with the stool.
With IBS-C (constipation predominance) you might notice abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating in connection with constipation.
Constipation means stools don’t pass often, or pass less than 3x/week.
Having hard stools that are difficult to pass, or the feeling of incomplete emptying following a bowel movement, are additional signs of constipation.