Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common, long-term condition in which the gut is more sensitive and moves differently, causing abdominal pain, bloating and a change in bowel habit. It does not damage the bowel or lead to cancer, and it is not an infection. In Nigeria the same symptoms are often put down to 'ulcer', worms or typhoid, and people take repeated courses of antibiotics, antimalarials or herbal purges, which do not help and can make things worse. Most people with IBS do not need a colonoscopy: the diagnosis is made from the pattern of symptoms and a few simple tests. A colonoscopy is needed when there are warning signs that point to something else, such as bleeding, weight loss or symptoms starting later in life.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Abdominal pain or cramps that ease after opening the bowels
- Bloating and a swollen feeling in the abdomen
- Diarrhoea, constipation, or the two alternating
- A feeling of not emptying the bowel fully
- Mucus in the stool
- Symptoms that flare with stress or certain foods
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if bowel symptoms last more than a few weeks, so other causes can be ruled out with simple tests. See a doctor promptly, as a colonoscopy may be needed, if you have blood in the stool, weight loss without trying, anaemia, diarrhoea that wakes you at night, symptoms starting after about forty-five, or a family history of bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Go to an emergency department for severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, persistent vomiting, or being unable to pass stool or wind.
Treatment options
- A clear diagnosis from the symptom pattern, an examination and blood and stool tests
- Regular meals, enough water, and adjusting fibre to the main symptom
- A trial of reducing gas-forming foods, ideally with dietitian support
- Medicines for the main symptom: antispasmodics, laxatives or anti-diarrhoeal drugs
- Help with stress, sleep and anxiety, which strongly affect the gut
- Colonoscopy only when warning signs or age point to another cause
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Do I need a colonoscopy for IBS?
Most people with typical IBS symptoms and no warning signs do not. A colonoscopy is advised when there is bleeding, weight loss, anaemia, night-time diarrhoea, a family history of bowel cancer, or new symptoms after about forty-five.
Is IBS the same as ulcer or typhoid?
No. IBS is a sensitive, irritable gut, not an infection, so antibiotics and antimalarials do not treat it. Typhoid needs a proper test, and ulcer pain is in the upper abdomen rather than through the bowel.
Can IBS turn into cancer?
No. IBS does not damage the bowel or raise the risk of bowel cancer. The reason doctors check warning signs is that bowel cancer and IBS can share some symptoms early on.
Can IBS be cured?
It is usually a long-term condition that comes and goes, but most people control it well with changes to diet and routine, and medicine for flares.
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