Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system.
- It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time.
- It's usually a lifelong problem. It can be very frustrating to live with and can have a big impact on your everyday life.
- There's no cure, but diet changes and medicines can often help control the symptoms.
- The exact cause is unknown – it's been linked to things like food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress and a family history of IBS.
Common irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
The main symptoms of IBS are:
- stomach pain or cramps - usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
- bloating - your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
- diarrhoea - you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
- constipation - you may strain when pooing and feel like you can't empty your bowels fully
There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they're worse (flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.
What can trigger IBS symptoms
IBS flare-ups can happen for no obvious reason.
Sometimes they have a trigger like:
- alcohol
- caffeine
- certain foods, such as spicy or fatty food
- stress and anxiety
Other symptoms of IBS
IBS can also cause:
- farting (flatulence)
- passing mucus from your bottom
- tiredness and lack of energy
- feeling sick (nausea)
- backache
- problems peeing - like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you can't fully empty your bladder
- not always being able to control when you poo (bowel incontinence)
See a GP if you think you might have IBS
They can check for IBS and do some tests to rule out other problems.
For more information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), please visit our new WISE IBS Service or the NHS 111 Wales website.
For further information please email: CTM.WISE@wales.nhs.uk or call us on 01685 351 451. Visit our website at: https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/wise-ctm