Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that interferes with the normal functions of the large intestine (colon). It is characterized by a group of symptoms — crampy abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
IBS itself is not a disease. As its name indicates, it is a syndrome — a combination of signs and symptoms. But IBS has not been shown to lead to any serious, organic diseases, including cancer. Through the years, IBS has been called by many names, among them colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, or spastic bowel. However, no link has been established between IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Continue reading Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
