Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is a common long-term digestive condition causing abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits — ranging from constipation to diarrhoea or both. While it can be disruptive and distressing, IBS does not damage the digestive tract and is very manageable with the right approach.
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This page provides general health information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
What is IBS?
IBS is a functional bowel disorder — meaning the bowel looks normal on investigation but does not function normally. It is characterised by altered gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity (heightened pain perception in the gut), and often a disturbed gut-brain axis. It is not caused by inflammation or structural damage, and does not increase the risk of bowel cancer.
IBS is significantly more common in women and typically develops before age 50. Stress and psychological factors play a significant role in symptom severity, though IBS is a genuine physiological condition and not "all in the mind".
Symptoms
- Recurrent abdominal pain or cramping, often relieved by opening the bowels
- Bloating and abdominal distension
- Diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between both
- Urgency — a sudden need to rush to the toilet
- Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
- Mucus in the stool
- Symptoms that worsen with stress, certain foods, or hormonal changes
Causes & triggers
- Post-infectious IBS — following a bout of gastroenteritis
- Gut microbiome disruption — altered balance of intestinal bacteria
- Food triggers — high-FODMAP foods, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty meals
- Stress and anxiety — strongly linked to symptom flares
- Hormonal changes — symptoms often worsen around menstruation
- Antibiotic use — disrupts gut flora
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for a proper assessment if you have persistent bowel symptoms. It is important to rule out other conditions — including coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and in older patients, bowel cancer — before an IBS diagnosis is made. Red flag symptoms such as blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms beginning after age 50 require urgent investigation.
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Treatment options
- Low-FODMAP diet — an evidence-based dietary approach that reduces fermentable carbohydrates and significantly improves symptoms in most people
- Antispasmodics (e.g. mebeverine, hyoscine) — for abdominal cramping and pain
- Laxatives — for IBS-C (constipation predominant)
- Anti-diarrhoeal agents (loperamide) — for IBS-D (diarrhoea predominant)
- Low-dose antidepressants — reduce visceral hypersensitivity and pain
- Gut-directed CBT and hypnotherapy — highly effective for IBS, particularly where stress plays a significant role
- Probiotics — emerging evidence supports their benefit in IBS
How eMedClinic can help
Our gastroenterologists confirm the diagnosis, rule out other conditions, and build a personalised IBS management plan. We prescribe appropriate medication, provide dietary guidance, and refer for gut-directed psychological therapies where needed.
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