What is IBS?

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and is a functional condition of the gastrointestinal tract. This means that the bowel functions differently than normal, without any measurable damage or inflammation showing up during examinations. IBS is not dangerous – but it can affect quality of life.

A sensitive gut – not a diseased gut

Unlike inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, no visible damage is found with IBS. Instead, it’s about how the gut behaves and reacts.
With IBS, the gut is especially sensitive to:

• Distension from gas or food
  
• Certain types of carbohydrates
  
• Stress and hormonal changes
  
• Imbalances in the gut microbiota
  

Bowel movements (motility) may also be affected — it may empty too quickly or too slowly.

Common causes and triggers

Research has not reached full consensus on why some people develop IBS, but several contributing factors are often mentioned:

• Hypersensitive gut nerves – which amplify pain signals to the brain
  
• Disrupted gut motility – which can lead to diarrhea, constipation, or both
  
• Infections – some develop IBS after a stomach bug or a course of antibiotics
  
• Stress – both psychological and physical stress strongly affect the gut
  
• Hormonal influences – symptoms may worsen around menstruation
  
• Imbalance in the gut flora – e.g. overgrowth of gas-producing bacteria
  

IBS often arises from a combination of factors, making each person's situation unique.

What does functional disorder mean?

That IBS is classified as a functional disorder — or a functional gastrointestinal condition — means that nothing “wrong” appears in lab tests or scans, but the function is still impaired.

So the gut isn’t damaged, but it:

• Cramps more than usual
  
• Empties irregularly
  
• Reacts strongly to certain foods, stress, or change
  
• Sends stronger signals to the brain
  

This is sometimes called visceral hypersensitivity – meaning the gut is more sensitive to internal stimuli than in others.

How common is IBS?

IBS is one of the most common digestive complaints in the world. It is estimated that 10–15% of the population has IBS, although many never receive a formal diagnosis.

It is more common in women, and symptoms often begin in adolescence or early adulthood. Many experience periods of improvement and worsening throughout life.

What is not IBS?

To make a diagnosis of IBS, it’s important to first rule out other conditions with similar symptoms:

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)
  
• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance)
  
• Gallbladder issues
  
• Lactose intolerance
  
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
  

That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention for severe symptoms, especially if they appear suddenly or change rapidly.

When should you suspect IBS?

If you frequently experience:

• Abdominal pain relieved by a bowel movement
  
• Alternating bowel habits – diarrhea, constipation, or both
  
• Discomfort after meals
  
• A sensation of incomplete emptying
  
• Bloating without a clear explanation
  

And if you’ve had these symptoms for at least three months, it could be IBS. A first step is to start observing patterns – ideally with the help of a food diary.