Up to one in five American adults may have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Warning signs include abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. But not all IBS is the same. For some people, constipation is the main symptom—with small, hard stools that pass only with plenty of straining and abdominal cramping. Other people find that diarrhea is their major symptom; it may come on suddenly, barely giving you time to reach a bathroom. And for others, IBS symptoms switch back and forth between diarrhea and constipation. For an IBS diagnosis, you must have symptoms for 12 weeks in the past 12 months. It’s comforting to know that IBS, though painful, will not damage your digestive system.

• You may have IBS if your abdominal discomfort is eased by a bowel movement and if it changes the frequency or form of your stool.
• For an IBS diagnosis, you must also have symptoms likes bloating, mucus in your stool, difficulty passing stool, or extreme urgency to have a bowel movement.
• Fever, bleeding, weight loss or on-going severe abdominal pain are not signs of IBS, but should be discussed with your doctor.
• Another clue to IBS: Large meals, some medicines, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, milk, alcohol and some grain products may make your discomfort worse.
• Often, stress, disagreements with others and emotional distress can exacerbate symptoms.

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