Symptoms
- Abdominal pain or cramping, often eased after a bowel movement
- Bloating and gas
- Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both
- Mucus in the stool
Diagnosis
IBS is diagnosed based on your symptoms and history, after ruling out other conditions such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Depending on your age and symptoms, this may include blood or stool tests, or a colonoscopy.
Treatment
Treatment is tailored to your main symptoms and may include diet changes (such as a low-FODMAP approach), fiber, stress management, and medication.
Rectal bleeding, weight loss, anemia, or symptoms that wake you at night aren't typical of IBS and should be checked.