Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel syndrome of IBS, is a functional abdominal disorder, (not caused by an discernible organic disease), that affects 1 in 5 people (in UK). Although it is not life threatening, it can severely affect a suffers quality of life.

Perceptions of IBS

Unfortunately, the general perception of IBS is a nuisance rather than serious and is largely psychological. It is not uncommon the general public as well as some health professionals to view IBS as a minor inconvenience. Most are unaware that the symptom severity is different for everyone and that some suffers are severely debilitated.

Symptoms

Symptoms can often be very uncomfortable and for most, quite embarrassing. Symptoms can be split into colonic and non-colonic( not directly involving the digestive system). For definitions of the following symptoms, please click here:

Colonic Symptoms

  • Upper and/or lower abdominal pain
  • Bloating/ abdominal distention
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Bowel urgency
  • Flatulence
  • Belching
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Non colonic symptoms

  • Headaches
  • Back pain
  • Thigh pain
  • Tiredness/fatigue
  • Frequent urination
  • Gynecological problems
  • Sleep disturbance

Quality of Life

In a quality of life study conducted by IBS Bulletin in 1995, where responders where asked to list the inconvenience caused by their IBS in order of severity, the following were results were found.

  • Abdominal pain 56.6%
  • Limited social life 38.3%
  • Inability to travel 24.8%
  • Flatulence 21.5%
  • Bloating 18.6%
  • Diet restriction 14.8%
  • Discomfort 9.4%
  • Unexpected sudden onset 7.6%
  • Constipation 7.1%
  • Distended abdomen 6.9%
  • Embarrassment 6.7%
  •   Diarrhea6.5%
  • Sleep disturbance 6.2%
  • Frequency and explosive movements 5.6%
  • Lack of energy 4.5%
  • Depression 4.3%
  • Nausea 4.1%
  • Embarrassingly noisy intestines 3.5%
  • Lethargy 3.3%
  • Interruptions at work 3.2%
  • Mental anguish 2.5%
  • Inability to concentrate 2.4%