Symptoms

Symptoms of IBS

The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort and bloating. Some people have constipation, with difficult-to-pass or infrequent bowel movements. This can mean straining and cramping while trying to have a bowel movement.

IBS may bring bouts of diarrhea, with frequent, loose, watery, stools and an urgent need to have a bowel movement.

Some people with IBS have alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. IBS symptoms may subside for months at a time, then return. For some people, symptoms just seem to get worse over time.

Symptoms of IBS may include:

• Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort
• Abnormal stool frequency (greater than 3 bowel movements/day or less than 3 bowel movements/week)
• Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool)
• Abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete bowel movement)
• Passage of mucus
• Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension
• Gassiness
• Feelings of urgency (the need to find a restroom fast)

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. You can download an IBS Symptom Checklist to fill out and bring to your next appointment.