• IBS Triggers
• IBS & Lifestyle
• Talking to Your Doctor About IBS
• About IBS
• Symptoms of IBS
• Causes of IBS
• IBS Treatment
• IBS Resources

About IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, a condition characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular diarrhea or constipation.

IBS Is a Common Disorder

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is known as a "functional disorder" because IBS does no permanent damage to the colon. Although it is not widely discussed, IBS is very common.

IBS has become increasingly common in the United States. According to the NIH, as many as 30% of Americans suffer from IBS at some time in their lives. It is not associated with hospitalization and surgery, but it can severely compromise a person's quality of life.

IBS is second only to the common cold as a cause of absenteeism from work. IBS is one of the top 10 reasons for physician visits ¹ and the second most frequently encountered diagnosis in clinical practice, accounting for more physician visits than any symptoms other than those for respiratory tract infections.²

IBS Symptoms Can Vary

Many experts agree that most people begin suffering from IBS symptoms early in their adult years.

For those suffering from a mild form of IBS, the condition may be a minor inconvenience. Many of these individuals suffer Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms when they are under stress, travel or alter their meal schedule. For others, the condition is unbearable. The pain and diarrhea associated with IBS may be so urgent that they cannot leave home. ^{3, 4}

In a recent survey of IBS sufferers conducted by the IFFGD, diarrhea was reported as the predominant condition of IBS, and 43% suffered from diarrhea and abdominal pain.⁵

IBS Has a Real Impact on Sufferers

In this survey, Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms were described as extremely or very bothersome by two-thirds of respondents, in terms of interfering with daily comfort, work or activities with friends or family. ⁵

The need to either arrive late for work or school or to leave early due to an IBS episode was reported by more than one-quarter of respondents.

Missed leisure activities were reported as occurring among more than two-thirds of these respondents. Those who reported missing leisure activities reported an average of 11 missed activities/occasions in the three-month period, or almost one week. ⁵

The good news for sufferers is that the symptoms of IBS are not related to any structural or biochemical abnormalities within the body. Many IBS sufferers are generally healthy and view the condition as annoying if the symptoms are mild and transient.

Yet most live with IBS every day for years and consider the symptoms a tremendous burden that affects quality of life and productivity. At best, they may feel uncomfortable for many hours or days at a time. At worst, they can experience a general fear of going to work, attending social events, or traveling far from home.

1) Everhart, JE, Renault, PF. Irritable bowel syndrome in the office-based practice of the United States. Gastroenterology 1991; 100:998-1005.
2) Engstrom, PF, Goosenberg, EB, Diagnosis and Management of Bowel Diseases, 1st Edition, 1999;2:64.
3) The New York Times Magazine, November 24, 2002, 51.
4) Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, 1998.
5) Drossman, DA, Norton, NJ. IBS in the Real World Survey, Summary Findings, August 2002.