What are the warning signs of IBS?
IBS is a common digestive disorder that mainly affects the large intestine. Common signs and symptoms which could indicate you have IBS include abdominal cramps, pain or discomfort, bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhoea or alternating bouts of both. IBS is often diagnosed once other more serious digestive disorders have been ruled out.
What are some of the main symptoms of IBS?
Many of the common signs and symptoms of IBS can have some overlap with other digestive conditions, however, it is important to remember that IBS is a collection of symptoms, rather than a disease state itself. Some of the symptoms associated with IBS can include:
- abdominal cramps
- pain and discomfort
- bloating
- flatulence
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- alternating bouts of altered bowel movements.
IBS may also be linked with other less-recognised symptoms including, stress, anxiety or other mental health disorders (1), gastric symptoms such as acid reflux (2), belching, heartburn or indigestion, food intolerances (3), undigested food in stools, or it may also be associated with headaches, fatigue (4), skin complaints such as acne (5), changes in how you urinate, or hormone dysregulation (6).
What is IBS pain like?
An IBS 'attack' is often characterised by cramping sensations and you may also feel bloated and experience excessive (flatulence). These symptoms may also be accompanied by an urgency to go to the toilet, alongside a change in bowel movements, including constipation, diarrhoea or alternating bouts of both constipation and diarrhoea. In some cases, the symptoms may then start to subside after a trip to the bathroom.
It is important to note the symptoms of IBS can be quite variable. For some, IBS pain may subside as quickly as it cropped up, for example after going to the toilet, and for others, it may feel like the symptoms are much longer-lasting, even lingering for up to a few days.
For others, the symptoms can come in waves so, despite not always being consistent, they can actually end up lingering for much longer once they do appear - even up to several days or weeks at a time in some cases.
What can trigger IBS symptoms?
In many cases stress or anxiety can bring on the symptoms of IBS, although this association may be less obvious if the symptoms of stress or anxiety are more chronic, or long-lasting.
For others, certain foods can act as triggers, however, this may be more likely if your digestion isn't working optimally in the first place, and therefore, on the other hand, if you are able to improve your digestion once more, you may become more resilient to a wider variety of foods again, and food sensitivities may improve.
Click here to read more about IBS causes, triggers and what can be done to help.
Can you develop IBS suddenly?
The symptoms of IBS can often creep up over sometime, but in other cases the symptoms can materialise quite quickly. Some reasons for IBS coming on more suddenly can include:
- food poisoning caused by bacteria
- a recent viral infection
- parasite infection
- pregnancy or childbirth
- new medication, including antibiotics, or a recent medical procedure
- a distinct change in diet or lifestyle habits.
Many of these factors can give rise to the symptoms of IBS as a result of having an impact on the balance of your good gut bacteria (microbiota).
Can IBS be seen on a colonoscopy?
IBS isn't classed as an inflammatory condition which means no notable changes to the internal gut structure can usually be found upon inspection.
However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, there is a risk these could be related to something other than IBS and you should therefore always have a check-up with your doctor as soon as you are able:
- blood present in your stools; either fresh or older blood which can present as red or black in your stools respectively;
- any sudden or persistent changes in your bowel habits
- unexplained weight loss
- your symptoms have developed for the first time and you are over the age of 50
- severe or persistent pain or other symptoms, including bloating.
How is IBS eventually diagnosed?
As above, your doctor will consider the type and frequency of your symptoms and may send you for further tests or assessments. Generally, they will aim to rule out other digestive disorders which have more quantifiable symptoms before eventually making an IBS diagnosis.
