Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional common gut disorder, a functional disorder means there is a problem with the function of a part of the body, but there is no abnormality in the structure. So, in IBS, the function of the gut is upset, but all parts of the gut look normal, even when looked at under a microscope. IBS causes various symptoms, Up to 1 in 5 people in the UK develop IBS at some stage in their life. IBS can affect anyone at any age, but it commonly first develops in young adults and teenagers. IBS is twice as common in women as in men.
Partly digested food normally leaves the stomach and passes into the small intestine and then into the large intestine. The large intestine makes food move with gentle squeezing motions. The large intestine is also called the large bowel or colon.
In irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard enough and cause food to move too fast or too slowly through your system.
IBS is also called functional bowel syndrome, irritable colon, spastic bowel and spastic colon. It’s not the same as inflammatory bowel diseases, like ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary widely from person to person and often resemble those of other diseases. IBS can cause diarrhea, constipation or a mixture of both. It can also cause pain in your abdomen that either comes in short bouts or lasts longer. The pain of IBS may go away when you pass gas or have a bowel movement.
Some people may have diarrhea right after they awaken in the morning. Diarrhea may also happen during or right after eating.
The symptoms may get worse when you’re under stress, such as when you travel, attend social events or change your daily routine. Your symptoms may also get worse if you don’t eat properly or after you’ve eaten a big meal. Women who have IBS may notice symptoms during menstrual periods.
Among the most common are:

* Abdominal pain or cramping
* A bloated feeling
* Gas (flatulence)
* Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea
* Mucus in the stool

What causes IBS?

Doctors are not sure what causes IBS. The nerves and muscles in the bowel appear to be extra sensitive in people with IBS. Muscles may contract too much when you eat. These contractions can cause cramping and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. Or the nerves may react when the bowel stretches, causing cramping or pain.
The doctor may suspect that you have IBS because of your symptoms. Specific symptoms, called the Rome criteria, can be used to more accurately make this diagnosis. Medical tests may also be done to make sure you don’t have any other health problems that cause the same symptoms.

How is IBS treated?

IBS has no cure, but you can do things to relieve symptoms. Treatment may involve

* diet changes
* medicine
* stress relief

Diet for IBS

Most people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome will try to diet for IBS, and some get relief from taking nutrition supplements.
A healthy diet is important for all of us. However, some people with IBS find certain foods of a normal healthy diet can trigger symptoms or make symptoms worse. Current national guidelines about IBS include the following points about diet which may help to minimise symptoms:

• Have regular meals and take time to eat at a leisurely pace.
• Avoid missing meals or leaving long gaps between eating.
• Drink lots of fluid drink at least eight cups of fluid per day, especially water or other non-caffeinated drinks such as herbal teas. This helps to keep the faeces (stools) soft and easy to pass along the gut.
• Restrict tea and coffee to three cups per day (as caffeine may be a factor in some people).
• Restrict the amount of fizzy drinks that you have to a minimum.
• Cut back on sugar.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol. (Some people report an improvement in symptoms when they cut down from drinking a lot of alcohol, or stop smoking if they smoke.)
• Cut back on foods with yeast, especially yeast breads.
• Consider limiting intake of high-fibre food (but see the section above where an increase may help in some cases).
• Limit fresh fruit to three portions (of 80 g each) per day.
• If you have diarrhoea, avoid sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free sweets (including chewing gum) and drinks, and in some diabetic and slimming products.
• If you have a lot of wind and bloating consider increasing intake of oats (for example, oat-based breakfast cereal or porridge) and linseeds (up to one tablespoon per day). You can buy linseeds from healthfood shops.
• Emphasize soup with meat, beans and non-starchy vegetables.
• Go easy on spicy foods.
• Avoid chewing gum as more air may be swallowed
• Avoid raw vegetables and fruit unless eaten with an acidic or active culture dressing such as Ranch made with buttermilk.
• Avoid grains, corn and rice.
• Keep a diet diary – most important!