Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The symptoms of IBS are diverse and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Here are some of the common symptoms: 

• Dysmotility, which causes diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both at different times, leads to diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), or a mixed stool pattern IBS (IBS-M). 
• Visceral hypersensitivity results in heightened sensitivity to normal contractions, leading to pain or discomfort during regular activities such as eating or bowel movements. This sensitivity does not indicate bowel damage, but rather increased sensitivity to stimuli in individuals with IBS. 
• Brain-gut axis dysregulation affects the communication between the brain and the gut, potentially leading to an inability to regulate pain or excessive signals causing diarrhoea in individuals with IBS. 
• Dysbiosis in IBS occurs when "good" bacteria are replaced by "bad" bacteria, leading to increased sensitivity of intestinal nerves or increased fermentation of food, resulting in symptoms such as bloating and diarrhoea. 

The symptoms of IBS are not indicative of structural problems (such as ulcers or cancers), often resulting in normal findings in blood tests, endoscopies, or scans for patients with IBS. 

The location of pain may vary among patients due to the involvement of the small intestine and colon (large intestine). 

*Be aware that BLOOD in the motion is not a symptom of IBS and you should see your doctor as soon as possible if this happens.