What are the symptoms of IBS?

Introduction

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Despite its prevalence, the exact pathophysiology of IBS remains unclear, and its symptoms can vary widely among patients.

Key Insights

Abdominal Pain and Discomfort:
- Abdominal pain is a hallmark symptom of IBS, often accompanied by discomfort and bloating .
- Pain predominance correlates with rectal hypersensitivity in response to stimuli.
Altered Bowel Habits:
- Patients experience a range of bowel habit changes, including diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two .
- Symptoms such as defecatory urgency, hard or lumpy stools, and a sensation of incomplete evacuation are common.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms:
- Abdominal distension and bloating are frequently reported, especially among female patients .
- Other GI symptoms include nausea, alterations in taste and smell, and unpleasant sensations on the tongue .
Psychological Symptoms:
- High levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress are associated with IBS .
- Psychological symptoms such as inner tension, worrying, and autonomic disturbances are prevalent.
Visceral Hypersensitivity:
- Many IBS patients exhibit heightened sensitivity to visceral sensations, which may contribute to their symptoms .
Extraintestinal Symptoms:
- Symptoms such as muscle stiffness, food sensitivity, and side effects from medications are more commonly reported by female patients.
- Extra-abdominal symptoms like chest pain or pressure and nausea are also noted.

Conclusion

IBS is characterized by a combination of chronic abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and a variety of gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms. Abdominal distension, bloating, and visceral hypersensitivity are common, with significant overlap in psychological distress. Understanding these symptoms can aid in developing more effective treatment strategies for IBS patients.

What are the symptoms of IBS?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

IBS-like Symptoms in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in Deep Remission Are Associated with Increased Levels of Serum Cytokines and Poor Psychological Well-being

IBS-like symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis in deep remission are associated with poor psychological well-being and increased serum cytokine levels, but not colonic low-grade inflammation.

Gender-related differences in IBS symptoms

Female IBS patients report higher levels of sensory symptoms related to the viscera and musculoskeletal system, potentially due to altered sensory processes, autonomic responses, and cognitive hypervigilance.

Clinical Patterns Over Time in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Symptom Instability and Severity Variability

IBS symptoms are unstable over time and vary in intensity, with many patients shifting to alternating diarrhea/constipation subtypes, but shifts from D-IBS to C-IBS are very infrequent.

Pathogenic factors involved in the development of irritable bowel syndrome: focus on a microbial role.

IBS may be linked to abnormal intestinal microbiota composition and instability, offering potential for therapeutic interventions through selective antibiotic or probiotic administration.

The role of inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Inflammation may play a pathogenic role in irritable bowel syndrome, with increased mast cell density and activity in the gut potentially contributing to symptoms.

Symptoms and visceral perception in patients with pain-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Abdominal pain is not the most bothersome symptom in irritable bowel syndrome patients, and pain-predominance correlates with rectal hypersensitivity after a noxious sigmoid stimulus.

New insights into the pathophysiology of IBS: intestinal microflora, gas production and gut motility.

IBS pathogenesis involves brain-gut axis dysregulation, gastrointestinal infection, mast cell activation, and altered serotonin metabolism, with potential new therapies based on a better understanding of the disorder's heterogeneous pathophysiology.

Symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome.

IBS patients frequently experience upper gastrointestinal and mental symptoms, which should be considered in their treatment search.

Characterization of IBS‐like symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical remission

IBS-like symptoms are common in patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical remission, but may be a reflection of occult inflammation rather than coexisting IBS.

Do interactions between stress and immune responses lead to symptom exacerbations in irritable bowel syndrome?

Interactions between stress and immune responses may contribute to symptom exacerbations in irritable bowel syndrome.

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