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Types of IBS

IBS is recognised only by its symptoms, there are no specific tests that can detect it. This can make diagnosis somewhat difficult because it is only diagnosed after all other potentially more serious conditions have been ruled out. This means that tests may well be carried out, but these are to eliminate everything else.

As the symptoms can vary quite significantly from person to person IBS has been further classified into three main types which are:

Constipation predominant IBS-C
Diarrhoea predominant IBS-D
Alternating between constipation and diarrhoea IBS-CD

The most common symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain and bloating along with diarrhoea and/or constipation. Other symptoms can include mucous in the stools, straining, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement, a feeling of relief after a bowel movement, flatulence, heartburn, indigestion, headaches, nausea and dizziness. It should be noted that blood in the stools is not a symptom of IBS and should be reported to your doctor without delay.

IBS is a long term disorder; there is no set pattern to IBS and no set treatment plan that is suitable for all. Although people with IBS can fall roughly into one of the following types, this can change, such is the complex nature of IBS.

IBS-C (Constipation predominant IBS)

Constipation is the most troublesome symptom and this can be accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, wind, heartburn, and straining whilst trying to pass a bowel movement. The stools can be hard, lumpy and dry and so painful to pass.

IBS-D (Diarrhoea predominant IBS)

Diarrhoea predominant IBS is where frequent stools are the most obvious symptom along with pain and discomfort, a need to have a bowel movement with very little warning and the passing of loose, watery or runny stools.

IBS-CD (Constipation and diarrhoea)

Alternating between constipation and diarrhoea with a mixture of symptoms indicated in the other two types. People with IBS tend to have sensitive intestines so treating constipation too harshly may lead to diarrhoea and vice versa.

So what exactly is IBS and who gets it?

Irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease, it is not dangerous, and it does not lead to cancer or other serious conditions. It is a group of symptoms or characteristics that together give an indication that the process of bowel movements is not functioning properly. No one knows exactly what causes it although a combination of factors appear to play a contributory role including food intolerances, hormones and an imbalance of bacteria in the gut.

It is an extremely common disorder affecting around 20% of the population although the actual figure may be higher than that due to the fact that many people do not seek help for their symptoms. It affects all ages, including children, although it appears to be more common in women. Treatment involves tackling the most troublesome symptoms.