What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?. IBS is a mix of belly discomfort or pain and trouble with bowel habits: either going more or less often ...NewsReferenceSlideshowsVideosQuestions&AnswersMedicationsFindaGastroenterologistOverviewSymptoms&TypesDiagnosis&TreatmentLiving&ManagingConstipationConstipationTreatmentsDiarrheaDietforIBS-CDietforIBS-DDrugInteractionCheckerIBSMedicationsIrritableBowelSyndromeGuideInthisArticleWhatIsIrritableBowelSyndrome(IBS)?IBSSymptomsIBSCausesandRiskFactorsIBSDiagnosisIBSTreatmentandHomeCareWhatIsIrritableBowelSyndrome(IBS)?IBSisamixofbellydiscomfortorpainandtroublewithbowelhabits:eithergoingmoreorlessoftenthannormal(diarrheaorconstipation)orhavingadifferentkindofstool(thin,hard,orsoftandliquid).DoctorsusedtocallIBSothernamesincluding:IBScolitisMucouscolitisSpasticcolonNervouscolonSpasticbowelTherearefourtypesofthecondition:IBSwithconstipation(IBS-C)IBSwithdiarrhea(IBS-D)MixedIBS(IBS-M)alternatesbetweenconstipationanddiarrheaUnsubtypedIBS(IBS-U)forpeoplewhodon'tfitintotheabovetypesIBSisn’tlife-threatening,anditdoesn'tmakeyoumorelikelytogetothercolonconditions,suchasulcerativecolitis,Crohn'sdisease,orcoloncancer.Butitcanbealong-lastingproblemthatchangeshowyouliveyourlife.PeoplewithIBSmaymissworkorschoolmoreoften,andtheymayfeellessabletotakepartindailyactivities.Somepeoplemayneedtochangetheirworksetting:shiftingtoworkingathome,changinghours,orevennotworkingatall.IBSSymptomsPeoplewithIBShavesymptomsthatcaninclude:Diarrhea(oftendescribedasviolentepisodesofdiarrhea)ConstipationConstipationalternatingwithdiarrheaBellypainsorcramps,usuallyinthelowerhalfofthebelly,thatgetworseaftermealsandfeelbetterafterabowelmovementAlotofgasorbloatingHarderorlooserstoolsthannormal(pelletsorflatribbonstools)AbellythatsticksoutMucusinyourpoopFeelinglikeyoustillneedtopoopafteryoujustdidFoodintoleranceTirednessAnxietyDepressionHeartburnandindigestionHeadachesNeedingtopeealotOtherthingsmaycausethesesymptomssometimes.Ifit’sIBS,you’lllikelyhavethesesymptomsweekly