Also called: Also called: IBS, Irritable colon
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Some go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.
IBS is a common disorder and happens more often in women than men. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for IBS. However, your doctor may run tests to be sure you don't have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management and medicine.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/irritablebowelsyndrome/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/irritablebowelsyndromespanish/htm/index.htm
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
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JAMA Patient Page: Irritable Bowel Syndrome(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/295/8/960.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/data/292/7/886/DC1/1
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What I Need to Know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs_ez/
- Exercise May Help People with Irritable Bowel(09/29/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69808.html
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Colonoscopy
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/
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Colonoscopy
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/colonoscopy/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/colonoscopyspanish/htm/index.htm -
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/sigmoidoscopy/
- Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - http://www.aboutibs.org/site/about-ibs/symptoms/
- Drug Approved for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/ibsdrug050108.html
- Lotronex (Alosetron Hydrochloride) Information(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) - http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/lotronex/lotronex.htm
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Introduction to Probiotics
(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/probiotics/index.htm
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Peppermint Oil
(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/peppermintoil/index.htm
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Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/food/general-nutrition/099.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/food/improve/099.printerview.html
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Diet: Can Yogurt Ease Symptoms?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/ibs-diet/AN01346/METHOD=print
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips on Controlling Your Symptoms(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/digestive/disorders/112.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/digestive/disorders/112.printerview.html
- Spastic Colon: What Does It Mean?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/spastic-colon/AN00498/METHOD=print
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Colonoscopy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/colonoscopy/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/colonoscopyspanish/htm/index.htm
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/irritablebowelsyndrome/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/irritablebowelsyndromespanish/htm/index.htm
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Diseases, Functional
(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Colonic+Diseases,+Functional%22
- Article: Impact of depressive symptoms on visceral sensitivity among patients with... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18791434&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Use of complementary and alternative medicine by pediatric patients with... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18662934&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Serine proteases: new players in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18628370&tool=MedlinePlus
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=irritable+bowel+syndrome[majr]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]))&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- GI Physician Locator(American College of Gastroenterology) - http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/phylocator.asp
- American Gastroenterological Association - http://www.gastro.org/
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National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
- http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/stomach/ibs.html
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibschildren/
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/digestive/ibs.html
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/faq/ibs.htm
Also available in Spanish http://womenshealth.gov/espanol/preguntas/ibs.htm
- Digestive System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/digestivesystem.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/irritablebowelsyndrome.html