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When Are Bowel Symptoms A Sign Of IBS? A Personal Look at Bowel Problems

Digestive Health

Bowel Symptoms and Bloating: Could it Be IBS?

Summary & Participants

Many people suffer from digestive problems that don't go away. Sometimes the problem is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This syndrome is marked by abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, constipation or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Although doctors don't know exactly what causes IBS, they have learned a great deal about the wide range of symptoms experienced by people with IBS.

Medically Reviewed On: May 09, 2008

Webcast Transcript

LIN CHANG, MD: Anywhere between 7 and 30 percent of individuals with IBS will report that they had previous proven bacterial gastroenteritis. That can change the immunologic function of the lining of the gut. That may be related to their symptoms of, for example, pain and diarrhea.

ANNOUNCER: The exact cause of IBS remains unknown, and for most IBS patients, no predisposing factor can be identified. However, doctors have learned much about the factors associated with the symptoms of IBS.

LIN CHANG, MD: One is altered gut motility or gut motor function, where the motility of the lower bowel will not be normal. It will either be too fast where a stool passes too quickly, or it will be too slow, where a stool passes much more slowly, and patients will develop diarrhea or constipation.

The second one is enhanced gut sensitivity, where the patients will be more sensitive to contents of the gut, such as stool or gas. So they'll feel bloated or they'll feel pain or discomfort.

The third factor is communication between the brain and the gut. That's important for general gut function. If there is any disregulation in the brain/gut interactions, you will have changes in bowel function.

ANNOUNCER: Because the brain communicates with the intestines, emotions and stress can contribute to flare-ups of bowel disorders.

SUSAN LUCAK, MD: Psychological factors do not cause irritable bowel syndrome. But they may aggravate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. For instance, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other psychological disturbances may worsen the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

ANNOUNCER: While the causes of IBS remain unknown, doctors can provide a great deal of help. In fact, one of their key messages to people suffering from gastrointestinal disorders is: don't try to go it alone.

BRIAN LACY, MD: As a physician, one of the frustrating things I find about IBS is that oftentimes many patients with chronic symptoms don't see a doctor. And I think that we need to educate patients better about that to get them to come in so we can reassure them. And to let them know there are now medications available that can improve their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

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