Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome is a term used to describe a range of symptoms affecting the movement of food through the gut (peristalsis.) It has been estimated that one in five of the adult population in the UK may be suffering with IBS at any given time.

Why does irritable bowel syndrome occur?

Whilst the cause of IBS is unknown, around 50% of suffferers are able to point to an event in their lives which was stressful immediately prior to the onset of symptoms. Around a fifth of people with irritable bowel syndrome start with syptoms after a bout of gastroenteritis.

Usually, it is difficult to pinpoint a single cause of IBS, sufferers generally have a combination of physiological and psychological factors that contribute to the condition.

Symptoms of IBS

There are many different symptoms which can be indicators of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, belching, flatulence, abdominal pain and vomiting.

Cures for irritable bowel syndrome

With no cure as such, advice from doctors is generally to manage irritable bowel syndrome by reducing stress and promoting relaxation, and carefully managing the diet of the patient.

Many IBS sufferers turn to alternative medicines and therapies including colonic irrigation (colon hydrotherapy) to obtain relief from some of the symptoms.