What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes recurring abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits even though endoscopy and blood tests show no structural problem. Researchers point to a sensitive gut, irregular gut motility, problems along the gut-brain axis, changes after gut infections, and shifts in the gut microbiome (Ford et al., 2020).
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
What are the Rome IV criteria?
Under Rome IV (Lacy et al., 2016), IBS means abdominal pain at least once a week on average over the last three months, with symptoms starting at least six months earlier, plus two or more of the following:
- Pain related to bowel movements
- A change in how often you go
- A change in stool form
| Subtype | Main pattern |
|---|---|
| IBS-C | Mostly constipation |
| IBS-D | Mostly diarrhea |
| IBS-M | Alternating constipation and diarrhea |
Treatment and self-care
Treatment is tailored to the subtype. On the diet side, a low-FODMAP diet, which cuts easily fermented carbs, reduced symptoms in a controlled trial (Halmos et al., 2014). It's meant to be temporary, with foods reintroduced, ideally with a dietitian. Soluble fiber, regular exercise, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals, laxatives, gut-brain neuromodulators and cognitive behavioral therapy are also used. The way stress can amplify symptoms ties into the general adaptation syndrome.
FAQ
- Can IBS turn into colon cancer?
- No, IBS itself doesn't progress to cancer. But blood in the stool, weight loss, anemia, new symptoms after 50 or a family history of colon cancer call for a colonoscopy.
- Is a nervous stomach before exams IBS?
- Occasional stomach trouble when you're stressed is common. IBS is considered when symptoms recur as often and as long as the criteria describe.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
See also: Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
References
- Lacy, B. E., Mearin, F., Chang, L., et al. (2016). Bowel disorders. Gastroenterology, 150(6), 1393–1407.
- Ford, A. C., Sperber, A. D., Corsetti, M., & Camilleri, M. (2020). Irritable bowel syndrome. The Lancet, 396(10263), 1675–1688.
- Halmos, E. P., Power, V. A., Shepherd, S. J., Gibson, P. R., & Muir, J. G. (2014). A diet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology, 146(1), 67–75.