Pain and cramping in IBS are the main symptoms and about 75% of people with IBS experience these symptoms. The pain can feel different for different people and can include cramping, aching, sharp or throbbing. The causes of the pain can be emotional stress, irregular eating habits or eating certain types of food. The pain and cramping is due to the abnormal contraction of the bowel and the ICV (ileocecal valve). Having a poo can relieve pain and cramping.

IBS that causes increased is often called IBS-D. If you have IBS-D, you have belly pain and other IBS symptoms plus frequent bowel movements. Your stool might be loose, though not always. You also might have sudden urges to use the bathroom, currently there is no sure but there are ways to relieve symptoms. Your bowel is more sensitive and reacts easily to things such as stress, bacteria and certain foods. Your brain can also play a part and send signals to your intestines that cause you to squeeze too hard forcing the faeces quickly through the colon, causing pain, diarrhea and gas.

Constipation can occur with IBS and is called IBS-C, and occurs with abdominal bloating and pain. Generally stools should pass everyday however with IBS-C they don’t pass enough quiet often less than 3 times a week. The stools are hard to pass and cause straining, hard or lumpy stools, and an incomplete bowel movement. Sometimes it can feel as though there is a blockage and they need to change their body position to complete passing a stool. Abdominal comfort often improves after a bowel movement. Constipation symptoms may come and go and can be associated with eating habits, not enough fibre and infection of the gut.

Anxiety and depression can go hand and hand with IBS and can worsen symptoms. If you have anxiety that can trigger IBS, which then further exacerbates the anxiety. The colon is controlled by the autonomic nervous system which responses to stress. The immune system can also respond to stress. Dysfunction between the brain and the gut can contribute to this. Thoughts and feelings can activate a part of the brain and can stimulate exaggerated gut responses. In general, it seems that dysfunction in the brain-gut communication system is interfering with the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis, a state in which all systems are working smoothly.

Bowel habits and changes can vary from person to person, which includes how often you use your bowels, the bowels movements consistency and colour. This can be the caused by infection and IBS and can be effected by what you eat, if you are on certain types of medication and even brain function and emotions.

The bloating of IBS often gets worst in the evening and is the feeling of your tummy being stretched, puffy and uncomfortable. The food intolerances that occur with IBS also effects the bloating by not allowing the bowel to empty properly which causes gas to be trapped. Cutting down on food that causes wind can help such as fizzy drinks and vegetables such as cabbage. The common foods for people are gluten and dairy.