Definition: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder, featuring recurrent abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhoea, often alternating with constipation. There is normally no obvious cause.

Welcome to Irritable Bowel Syndrome Info...

... a website that aims to give a wealth of resources about this very common and frequently painful condition. Enclosed within, you will find many articles and products of interest. These cover areas of modern medicine as well as more alternative ones. Much of the enclosed information on irritable bowel syndrome is taken from external sources for which thanks are given. Before continuing, please read the disclaimer.

This website is not designed as a substitute for seeking professional medical advice should you need to do so. Rather it is intended that the information presented within will assist you in making informed decisions, in cooperation with your doctor, as to the most suitable treatment to use in your fight against this condition.

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I'm sure you'll find many things of interest within IBSInfo.me.uk and I wish you all the best in your quest to overcome or alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

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Alistair Hamilton

Extract from Wikipedia: "In gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or spastic colon is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits which are not associated with any abnormalities seen on routine clinical testing. It is fairly common and makes up 20–50% of visits to gastroenterologists. Lower abdominal pain, and bloating associated with alteration of bowel habits and abdominal discomfort relieved with defecation are the most frequent symptoms. The abdominal pain type is usually described in a patient as either diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C) or IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A). In some individuals, IBS may have an acute onset and develop after an infectious illness characterised by two or more of the following: fever, vomiting, acute diarrhea, positive stool culture. This post-infective syndrome has consequently been termed "post-infectious IBS" (IBS-PI) and is acute onset Rome II criteria positive. This condition is more homogenous, being mostly IBS-D and is drawing much clinical investigation.

"Because of the name, IBS can be confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a more serious condition.

"The range of symptoms relating to IBS is relatively broad, but the main symptom is usually abdominal pain or discomfort associated with changes in bowel habits in the absence of any apparent structural abnormality. The pain is commonly relieved by defecating or modulated by other triggers of gut motility. There is generally no pain when patients are asleep. Symptoms usually start in young adulthood.

"There appears to be an overlap of IBS with stress, chronic pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, the American folk medicine use of term hypoglycaemia, and various mental disorders (in a small minority). While no single explanation for this phenomenon exists, it does strengthen the view that there is a neurological and psychological component to IBS. Recent studies indicate that presynaptic neural effects secondary to the release of histamine (part of immune response) is likely related to these problems.

"The role of hormones in IBS is not yet fully understood. Menstruation frequently triggers or exacerbates IBS symptoms, while pregnancy and menopause can either worsen or improve symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy is associated with an increased risk of developing IBS."