syndrome

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, their severity and frequency, vary from person to person, as they can range from mild to severe and recurrent that harm the quality of life. Learn about it below.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic health condition whose symptoms appear in the early teens and late twenties, and the severity and frequency of symptoms vary from person to person. Learn about 5 common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

We will mention below 5 common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

1- Pain and cramps

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom and is a major factor in diagnosis. This pain usually occurs in the lower abdomen or throughout the abdomen, but is unlikely to be in the upper abdomen alone.

This pain is characterized by the fact that it becomes lighter after defecation, worsens due to the presence of stress and psychological tension, and about an hour or two after eating, and does not appear at night.

The reason for this is that the digestive tract and the brain work together to control digestion. This happens through hormones, nerves, and signals issued by the good bacteria that are present in the intestine.

In irritable bowel syndrome, these cooperative signals become distorted, leading to tension in the muscles of the digestive tract.

2- Constipation and diarrhea

In irritable bowel syndrome, some patients suffer from constipation, i.e. defecation infrequently, and the stool is hard and dry, with some feeling pain. Others suffer from diarrhea, meaning defecation more than 3 times a day.

There are also those who suffer from diarrhea and constipation together, but nately.

In some cases, a patient with this syndrome may feel the need to go to relieve himself, but he is unable to do so.

3- Changes in stool

Stool changes often occur in a patient with irritable bowel syndrome, due to a change in bowel movement.

Slow movement makes the stool dry, because the intestine absorbs water and the stool becomes solid. The rapid movement of stool through the intestine leaves little time for water to be absorbed and results in loose stool.

Many patients experience hard stools in the morning followed by softer stools, often accompanied by a mucous discharge.

4- Abdominal bloating and gases

Another common complaint is a feeling of bloating in the abdominal area.

Changes in the digestive process can lead to increased gas production in the intestines, which leads to bloating.

5- Fatigue and difficulty sleeping

Fatigue and poor sleep quality are also linked to IBS. More than half of people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome report fatigue.

IBS is also associated with insomnia, which includes difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, and feeling restless in the morning.

Important information

Now that you know the common symptoms of IBS, you should know that IBS is associated with anxiety and depression as well.

It is not clear whether IBS symptoms are an expression of mental stress or whether the stress of IBS makes people more vulnerable to psychological difficulties.