This common and uncomfortable condition is felt in the gut but often starts in the mind
Stress, including the stress from past trauma, has been more clearly linked to IBS, providing additional avenues for treatment.PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may not crop up much in day-to-day conversation, but for the millions who suffer from it, the condition is impossible to ignore. Not only can it be uncomfortable or painful, but IBS symptoms can seriously impinge on ordinary social interactions and lifestyle, as well.
Fortunately, there are treatments for the condition and a dietary investigation that can help sufferers figure out what foods may be triggering their symptoms.
Common and Uncomfortable
IBS is very common. According to Cleveland Clinic, between 10 and 15 percent of the adult U.S. population has IBS, but only about half are actually diagnosed. IBS is a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects the stomach and intestines and manifests itself through a variety of symptoms that can include abdominal pain or cramping, excess gas or bloating, and changes in bowel movements resulting in either diarrhea or constipation.
Zrinka Peters
Author
Zrinka Peters is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, and education. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, and has been published in a wide variety of print and online publications including Health Digest, Parent.com, Today's Catholic Teacher, and Education.com.
