You may have noticed that your body appears to be sensitive to certain foods. After you eat them, you may get stomach cramps and end up either constipated or suffering from diarrhea. If that is the case, you may believe that you have some sort of mild allergy, but you might actually have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

There is currently no cure for IBS, but it is not a fatal disease. Around 60% of people who have it never even seek medical care for it. Conservative estimates indicate that some 55 million people in this country suffer from it. Although many people don’t seek medical attention for it, it is listed as the second most common reason for people missing time off work.

What Are the Symptoms and Signs for IBS?

So what are the symptoms for IBS? Unfortunately, they vary significantly. Some people have mild stomach upsets while others have crippling pain. Some experience constipation, while others have diarrhea. Some have diarrhea at one time and then have constipation the next time around. And the symptoms can change over time as well, as can treatments for the condition.

Although the question “what are the symptoms for IBS” is hard to answer, it is important to be aware of those symptoms so that you know what could be wrong with you. IBS is more common in women than in men, twice as likely in fact. Symptoms usually first start in early adulthood. Around 20% of all people are said to suffer from it. So what should you look for specifically to determine if you have IBS? Common symptoms include:

1. Abdominal cramping that happens around one hour to an hour and a half after eating.
2. Excessive bloating and gas.
3. Changes in bowel habits and movements, usually with pain and a feeling of not being able to completely empty the bowels.

The Causes of IBS:

The causes of IBS are not exactly known yet, but studies have shown a number of possibilities, including:

1. Sensitive muscles in the gastrointestinal tract that react too strongly. This seems likely to be the key issue, as the structure of the intestine itself is unchanged.
2. Hormones, which is believed to be the case because the condition is twice as common in women, and because their symptoms are usually worse during menstruation.
3. Lack of hormones, which some studies have now demonstrated.
4. Genes, as it usually runs in families.
5. Tension and stress, which is why people who have IBS should learn relaxation techniques, because getting anxious and stressed over IBS is likely to make it worse.
6. Fatigue, with people finding their symptoms usually get worse if they haven’t slept properly.

IBS is currently diagnosed through deduction. This means that if all other conditions have been ruled out, IBS is the remaining option. There is no treatment or cure for the condition but when people suffer from constipation, they are encouraged to try a mild laxative. And if they suffer from diarrhea, they must ensure that they stay hydrated. The condition is not dangerous, but it could be uncomfortable.