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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the bowel that may include the symptoms of bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and cramps over an extended period of time. The intensity of these symptoms can range from mildly irritating, to altogether disabling. In contrast to Inflammatory Bowel Disease, there is no physical change noted in the digestive tract with IBS. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 1 in 5 Americans have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, though women are affected by IBS three times more often than men.

There is not a single clear reason as to what causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome as it generally has a number of intertwined causes. Almost all mainstream medical institutions declare that there is no known cause for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They speculate that it may arise as a result of stress or diet, with the symptoms of IBS usually beginning around age 20.

You may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

* A recurring change in bowel movements that can alternate between chronic constipation and bouts of diarrhea
* Fatigue
* Headache
* Nausea
* Painful bloating
* Flatulence/gas
* Abdominal discomfort, usually in the lower abdominal area

Source: Jigsaw Health

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"IBS explained for people who do not have IBS":

One thing that most IBS sufferers have in common is that it’s hard to communicate to the people in their life about what it’s like to live with IBS. There are several reasons for this. First of all, talking about problems with your GI system is socially taboo. I mean, yuck! It’s a topic you’d associate with an infantile comedy routine, not with a conversation between two co-workers, or two people out on a first date. Secondly, like many chronic conditions, it changes how a person gets through their day.

It makes simple daily routines, like going to the bathroom, or ordering food, complicated, difficult and different. And when your day is different from everyone’s around you, it can be very isolating and hard to explain.

Unfortunately, people with IBS often find that they have to explain over and over again. In restaurants, in the office, on trips, and at home. Because even though 20% of the population suffer from some form of GI difficulty, the other 80% have a mental block about believing that it’s really real. Or that it’s really as bad as people say; that there’s a genuine difference between having a ‘bad stomach’ for a few days and having a chronic condition that effects your whole life.

It’s an embarrassing condition to describe, and it’s a difficult lifestyle to explain.

Some IBS facts:

* IBS is a high maintenance condition.
* IBS is not temporary, it’s life long.
* I'm not a picky eater, I just don’t want to get sick.
* When I’m having an attack, I need space.
* The rules are always changing, in terms of what works and what doesn’t work for IBS.
* I’m not using IBS as an excuse not to do things.
* People with IBS don’t talk about it too much.
* IBS is not ‘all in our heads’.
* There are many IBS symptoms.
* Don’t take my condition personally.
* I can’t always help being late.
* I can’t control how often I get sick.
* It’s not funny when you have to live with it everyday.
* There is no known cure for IBS.

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/main/aboutibs.shtml

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My brief personal story with IBS

In August of 1989, I severely injured my back on the job of a trucking company. I was off work for approximately 1 year while being ‘rehabilitated’. During those initial months, I developed a serious migraine that lasted an excruciating 6 months. That was shortly followed up by getting a chronic case of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). From mid 1990 until even now, today, I suffer greatly from pain, nausea, and loss of appetite, every single day in varying degrees. There are barely a handful of days that I can count from 1990 to today, that I have not suffered greatly because of it. The anguish I go through and still deal with is immense.

Each person suffering from IBS is uniquely different from the rest, no two are the same. In my case, (according to the Pittsburgh Pain Clinic in PA, USA), I am in the minority 5% group of IBS sufferers that suffer the worst. It's virtually full on IBS 24/7. According to the Pain Clinic in Pittsburgh, the pain level I endure is on the same level as a patient who has stomach cancer. This has led me to being on morphine in the ER on numerous occasions and just as recently as here in the UK. This pain some IBS sufferers endure is completely debilitating and unbearable.

If you know someone with IBS, give them patience, understanding and forgiveness, and love them through each day. Believe them when they say they are suffering from IBS and don't feel well; they mean it.

When a person develops IBS, their body becomes a very difficult place to live in. By taking the time to understand IBS, you have helped to make their environment an easier place to live in.

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There are so many people out there suffering from IBS.
Here is just a small sample of what others have to say about their experiences with IBS:

Apr 1 2007, 05:53 AM - "I got it; I'm in hell"

"Just realized it a few minutes ago. Along with my depression, general anxiety, I'm completely lost in terms my future goals including my career/major, where I want to live, etc. I'm even lost as to who I am. I can't answer the question of what I like to do in my freetime without being dishonest.

I mean it had to come down to this, the inability to crap. It's the most pathetic, embarassing, frustrating illness. I mean you can't even do a simple daily task that every human being does, and that is the ability to excrete. It's a silly illness, really.

It's gotten to the point where I'm actually obsessing over it. I look at someone on the street and I envy them because they can go to the bathroom, take a dump, and feel relieved afterwards. I want to say they take it for granted but you know how ridiculous that sounds.

This has gotta be hell. Somewhere along my life I died and this is what I'm living with. Career anxiety, social anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, weight gain, depression, loneliness, agitation, hatred... The list goes on." ..............

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=72302

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Jul 6 2006, 12:36 AM - "Had just about enough"

"OK, im going to take this opportunity to have a moan, i am sure i am not the only one that feels like i do."

"I don't live with IBS, i exist, i think it is impossible or very difficult to "live" with this complaint. I struggle through from one day to the next, dread waking up in the morning because i dont know how i am going to be that day, cant wait til i go to bed at night because i know that it is another day over and done with, though when i do get to bed time i lay there for a while praying to god that i have a good night and dont end up waking up ill."

"i am CERTAIN the medical profession, well maybe not ALL but most, underestimate how much of an impact this has on peoples lives, this is not just your usual run of the mill stomach complaint, not for me anyway this thing has control of my life, i dont really live life, i live IBS, which is a horrible thing for a 25 year old man to say but it is true. it is so depressing existing with this condition, would i rather have an alternative medical problem, offer me something and see if i turn it down, i probably wouldnt obviously i would not want to be terminally ill and there are worse out there, but hell, there are much better things to cope with than this i am sure. I get sick of lack of understanding from people who have NO IDEA what it is like going through this."

"OK im going to stop right there otherwise ill be moaning all night, i have 18 months worth of moaning trapped inside me."

Mad

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=47346

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Jul 26 2006, 06:02 AM - "Can't take it anymore"

"Its only been 4 years for me, not even quite that many yet, and yes im a rookie compared to some, but i just cant deal with it anymore. Being a man and all, i naturally dont get too emotional over many things, but it seems i cant go longer than an hour or two nowadays without thinking about my stomach problems and then getting all depressived over it."

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=66182

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Aug 10 2006, 07:21 PM - "I just want to cry"

"hi people well i dont realy know where to start, but this is the only place where i can express my feelings,it seems like nobody with ibs seems to understand how i am feeling, they just think this is some joke,but really they can not even begin to imagine what i am going through, im sure all you people reading this will know if you have the same problems. i was a prety normal healthy girl, only small,quite petite, i rember my friends syin to me i would love to have a figure like yours,i was really grateful of what i had,being able to eat nething i would want,and bang out of the blue i get ibs,3-4 months ago i discovrd that their was something wrong with my body but the docotrs did not take much notice,wish they had! and now i just cant cope,everyday i want to cry and i dont feel happy, i dont want to enjoy life like i ust to,really looking forward to doing things,buying new clothes etc,at the moment i dont even feel like wearing ne of my clothes,i just want to hide away from every1,my bf dusnt even understnd,i keep teling him ive had enuf,and he keeps going on about what he can eat etc,but i dont think he realises what i am going thru,like i say its all a joke. i have been get really bad stomach pains,really awful noises in my stomache, and the worst of all my stomache bloats up so much that it actually makes me look like i am pregnant. can you imagine how that must feel like.i hate it,once upon time i ust to love my figure,now i hate it.funi thing in the morning when i dont eat i can look normal. my stomach is down,as soon as i have something to eat,bang,it just bloats up so much.i hate it.plss ive tryd everything,medicine,mebeverine tablets, fibre gel, drink loads water,herbal tea,even been to the chinese doct but nothing at the moment seems to be working,pls you people out their i want you to pray for me,i just want my life back,i want to be normal agian without having tom worry about my ibs problems,my stomach makes so much noises i just can not bare it nemore. i feel deprsd,i feel hurt,i feel like why did this have to hapen to me for,nobody has been thru nethin like this in my family,why me!!! its not fair,life is so unfair.honestly. pls help.i look forward to hearin from you soon,and all you people with ibs i know exact how it must feel. i have my heart with you all. xx blessx"

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=68959

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Nov 21 2006, 11:08 PM - "I'm still sick and tired of this"

"After 20 years of dealing with this, i feel I have a right to gripe. I am so sick and tired of running to the bathroom all the time. I would like to take my granddaughter for a walk to the park. This would really make her day. But, no, I have to stay right by the bathroom. When it's time to cook dinner, what happens, I have to run to the bathroom while I'm fixing it. Sometimes, that means taking off the stove whatever I was cooking and hoping it doesn't mess up the food. Doing dishes, I get hit again. Sometimes I even sit on a stool just so I might be able to finish them. For me, my stomach is worse when I stand up. But, you can't sit and do everyday things. AWWW!!!!! Oh well. Life goes on. Tomorrow we can do it all over again. I know you have to do the best you can to get through it but sometimes, I'd like to have a hug. A little help with dinner or the dishes. A little understanding."

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=64450

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Apr 30 2007, 07:12 PM - "What now?"

... "At this point I'm back to sleeping all the time, having no energy and constantly worrying about my bowel movements. My libido is suffering (because who feels sexy when you are bloated and gassy?). I keep catching colds. And most of the time my entire body aches. I have heard that there are links between IBS and some disorders such as Fibro Malaysia but I'm almost afraid to talk to my doctor about it. I'm tired of being told there is no hard answer to explain my pain. I'm tired of everyone thinking I'm a hypochondriac. I'm tired of going through test after test, just to be told there is nothing that can be done because nothing can be found.

I like my doctors and I know they are trying everything they know and they try to be helpful and encouraging, but that doesn't give me the energy to get out of bed, it doesn't help my symptoms or make my friends and family really understand how I feel. Sometimes I feel like they get tired of it. I mean I'm not dying, I don't have cancer so what could be so wrong. But I feel awful most of the time and even when I feel ok I have to wonder if eating this is going to cause problems tomorrow or do I have to pass on that because it might upset my system. Sometimes I wish just for I second I could show them how it feels to be me, so they would understand." ...

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=60729

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Sep 12 2005, 12:00 PM - "Emotional and physical HELL!"

"Hi my names emily and im 16 years old. I have been suffering from IBS for 4 years now and every day of my life is a struggle! Until i found this website, i felt so alone, no one understood the amount of pain i was in. Im currently doing year 11 and i am missing so much school because of my IBS and somesays its so bad i feel like i cant go on. Apart from the physical pain, the emotional stress of it all is really hard to cope with, and even though people are sympathetic and listen to me, i feel like they dont really understand and that they think im just being over dramatic. Ive had so many tests done and tried all kinds of medications, yet nothing works. I just need to take each day as it comes, some days im ok and can function normally, but other days im in absolute hell and completely miserable. My life is a battle and im determined to get through this and not give up. To the rest of you out there, your not alone, keep your head up and hope for a brighter future xoxoxox"

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=79527

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Aug 5 2005, 03:13 PM - "IBS and me"

"I have been off work for 1 1/2 years. I go from severe diahrea and abdominal pain in the morning and severe bloating and constipation at night. My physican doesn't seem to understand how much pain i am in everyday. I had an ercp done in May of this year. Since then I have back pain and my body aches all over everyday. Within 3 months I have badly sprained my ankle and broke my wrist. By doing some research i found out that when you have IBS it also is linked with fibromyalgia and bone loss. Going through this everyday takes alot out of me and it is extremely hard to even do everyday household chores or even go in the workplace for 8 hours and do shift work. I get depressed because I feel like crap everyday and my doctor just doesn't get it."

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=71652

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Jan 7 2002, 02:11 AM - "Do the professionals really understand"

"I was told I had IBS 8 years ago, at that time it only flarred up every now and then, but as I get older it gets worst.For the last month or so it has gotten so much worst, the pain has been unbearable, a few trips to the ER to stop the pain with demoral.It is just awful.I feel like the professionals don't understand how much a problem it really is and how painful it really is. Hopefully soon, they will figure out something."

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=4829

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Jul 21 2001, 08:09 PM - "Life with IBS.. the Spouse's view"

... "Since being diagnosed with IBS, my husband has had several different test run and has been on several different medications.. Ativan, BuSpar, Efflexor, Belladonna/Phenobar, Phenergan, Meperidine/Promethazine (which is Mepergan), Levsin, and Asacol, the most recent medication was Paxil (which only made the symptoms worse).. they have tried antispasmatics and they have tried anxiety medications ... nothing is working. We have a 2 yr. old son that loves to play with his father, and most of the time my husband's pain is so severe that he can't play with him. Which is stressful and cause his symptoms to worsen. Before November we had a normal life, he played with our son, we went out from time to time, we went shopping..... now there are days that I can't even get him to get off the couch." ...

... "I hear everyone telling me to help "keep stress down" but what a lot of them don't realize is that with IBS its hard to do, the pain alone is stressful. I am trying to be a strong person and help my husband and our family through this, but it is a very hard thing to do when you don't have anyone to talk to about all of it. Especially when they keep telling you that it is all in his head. I can't talk to him about it.. because I don't want to upset him.. plus he really doesn't want to talk about it ... and I understand that" ...

... "no I am not an IBS patient ... but I am a wife of an IBS patient.. and that is rough too ... so please.. those of you that are married ... understand one thing ... your spouse needs you just as much as you need them ... try to be understanding when they get just as upset and frustrated with IBS as you" ...

Source: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=27860

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For further information on IBS, see links below:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help and Support Group

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Self Help Group, established in 1987, is a patient advocate group in support of those who suffer from IBS, those who are looking for support for someone who has IBS, and medical professionals who want to learn more about IBS. The IBS Self Help and Support Group is the largest on-line community for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Revolution Health - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Breaking the bonds of IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Information - Blog

An IBS blog where you can learn more about IBS, post your thoughts, interact with people, and more. This site is a great resource for those struggling to cope with IBS daily.

The Rome Criteria for IBS - Help in accurately diagnosising IBS.

At the 13th International Congress of Gastroenterology in Rome, Italy in 1988 a group of physicians defined criteria to more accurately diagnose IBS.

Known as the "Rome Criteria," this set of guidelines that outlines symptoms and applies parameters such as frequency and duration make possible a more accurate diagnosis of IBS.

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