IBS Or Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent digestive disorder affecting up to one in five individuals in the UK at some point in their lives. Characterised by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits, IBS can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life.

Understanding IBS

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional disorder of the gut (including the bowels). This means that whilst there is no abnormality to the structure of the gut, it doesn’t function properly. As many as 1 in 5 people develop IBS in the UK at some stage in their life. It can affect you at any age but commonly develops in teenagers and young adults. IBS is also twice as common in women as in men.

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Intermittent pain or discomfort in various parts of the abdomen of varying degrees from mild to severe:

The length of time for bouts of pain may vary

Pain often eases when you pass stools (motions or faeces) or wind

The pain is said to feel like colic or a spasm

Bloating or swelling of the abdomen

Passing more wind than usual

Bouts of diarrhoea or constipation

Alternate bouts of diarrhoea and constipation

Small pellet-like stools, or watery or ‘ribbony’ stools.

Mucus may be mixed with the stools

You may not feel like you’re ‘finished’ after going to the toilet

You may experience ‘urgency’, or needing the toilet very quickly

Other symptoms include:

Nausea

Headache

Belching

Tiredness

Backache

Muscle pains

Feeling quickly full after eating

Heartburn

Bladder symptoms (an associated irritable bladder)

Some sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome only experience occasional and mild symptoms, whereas others suffer unpleasant symptoms for long periods of time. Many people are somewhere in between, experiencing flare-ups of symptoms at various times.

Often, doctors will group people suffering from IBS into one of three categories:

People who experience abdominal pain/discomfort with other symptoms mainly consisting of bloating and constipation

People who experience abdominal pain/discomfort with other symptoms mainly consisting of urgency to get to the toilet and diarrhoea

People who alternate between constipation and diarrhoea

94 Five Star ReviewsRead Now

Transform

Book A Free 20 Min Call With A Hypnotherapist

Our friendly team of experienced professionals are ready to help you.

How Can We Help You Change?

Take the first step towards positive change. Fill in the contact form or call 0800 048 5636 now. Your journey to a better you could start here!