Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The Most Common Intestinal Complaint

Research suggests that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common functional disorders of the colon, affecting more than 20 percent of the American population. More than 70 percent of IBS sufferers are women. It usually begins in the teenage years and early adulthood, but it has been reported in patients older than age 50. It is often a chronic disorder that many people never even mention to their physicians because they have long since become used to their symptoms and think of them as normal. It is interesting to note that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is twice as common as hypertension and, although one-fifth of the population has symptoms of IBS, only 25 percent seek medical advice.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the catch-all diagnosis that is given to people who are experiencing symptoms - usually chronic - with their gastro-intestinal system that are not being caused by a known GI condition or disease.

What are the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Those who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome all into three symptom groups: First, there are those individuals who have diarrhea-predominant IBS. Second, some patients have constipation-predominant IBS, and last, some patients have pain/bloat type IBS. Bloating is also a very common symptom in all three groups. Stress may make all of these symptoms worse.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not lead to inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) or colon cancer. Even though IBS does not lead to any serious conditions, it can be a very bothersome condition because of the abdominal pain, altered bowel habits and bloating.

Many years ago, physicians believed Irritable Bowel Syndrome to be a psychosomatic illness. More recently, they have discovered that there seems to be increased sensitivity in the gut (i.e., increased perception of pain) in patients with IBS. This is accompanied by increased motor activity in the gut and a dysregulation between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system, involving the small and large intestine.

Serotonin seems to be particularly important in Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and studies indicate that patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS secrete more serotonin after a meal than people without IBS. It is also suggested that this high level of serotonin stimulates increased movement of the intestine.