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c.wicks · Jan 6, 2005

IBS has a broad range of symptoms; the most common are abdominal pain and altered bowel movements. Although symptoms may vary among patients, a pattern usually develops for each patient. The presence of characteristic symptoms in an otherwise healthy individual is sufficient to make a diagnosis of IBS in most individuals.

*The characteristics of abdominal pain vary between patients and even within an individual patient.

oThe pain can be dull, achy, colicky, or sharp.

oPain can occur anywhere in the abdomen but is commonly located in the hypogastric or periumbilical regions.

oThe pain has no specific pattern but may be aggravated by stress and food and partially relieved after defecation.

*Altered bowel habits include constipation, diarrhea, or alternating constipation with diarrhea.

oStools usually are of small volume and pasty. Constipation is associated with small, hard, pelletlike stools. Diarrhea characteristically occurs during waking hours and often is precipitated by meals.

oMucus can be a component of the stool in as many as 50% of patients with IBS.

oIn some patients, defecation is associated with a sense of incomplete evacuation that can lead to repeated trips to the bathroom and prolonged straining.

*Symptoms of abdominal distension (ie, bloating, increased belching, flatulence) frequently are reported by patients with IBS. They are less common in children than adults.

*Other gastrointestinal symptoms (ie, heartburn, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting) are reported in 25-50% of adult patients with IBS. Dyspeptic symptoms are present in as many as 30% of pediatric patients with IBS.

*Extraintestinal symptoms are also reported. Patients with IBS frequently report dysmenorrhea, urinary frequency, incomplete bladder emptying, back pain, and headache. These complaints are common in adults but rare in children.

javanurse2000, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2005

IBS has a broad range of symptoms; the most common are abdominal pain and altered bowel movements. Although symptoms may vary among patients, a pattern usually develops for each patient. The presence of characteristic symptoms in an otherwise healthy individual is sufficient to make a diagnosis of IBS in most individuals.
*The characteristics of abdominal pain vary between patients and even within an individual patient.
oThe pain can be dull, achy, colicky, or sharp.
oPain can occur anywhere in the abdomen but is commonly located in the hypogastric or periumbilical regions.
oThe pain has no specific pattern but may be aggravated by stress and food and partially relieved after defecation.
*Altered bowel habits include constipation, diarrhea, or alternating constipation with diarrhea.
oStools usually are of small volume and pasty. Constipation is associated with small, hard, pelletlike stools. Diarrhea characteristically occurs during waking hours and often is precipitated by meals.
oMucus can be a component of the stool in as many as 50% of patients with IBS.
oIn some patients, defecation is associated with a sense of incomplete evacuation that can lead to repeated trips to the bathroom and prolonged straining.
*Symptoms of abdominal distension (ie, bloating, increased belching, flatulence) frequently are reported by patients with IBS. They are less common in children than adults.
*Other gastrointestinal symptoms (ie, heartburn, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting) are reported in 25-50% of adult patients with IBS. Dyspeptic symptoms are present in as many as 30% of pediatric patients with IBS.
*Extraintestinal symptoms are also reported. Patients with IBS frequently report dysmenorrhea, urinary frequency, incomplete bladder emptying, back pain, and headache. These complaints are common in adults but rare in children.

Sad to say all of the above is correct and can vary on any given day...I've learned to eat my meals at home :uhoh21:

Gail-Anne · Jan 28, 2005

Great description of IBS. A word of caution though from a nurse who has dealt with many colon cancer pts, as young as early 40's. A few of them were told by their Dr that it was IBS, delayed diagnoses by about a year until worse symptoms. If ANY question at all, insist on a referral to a Gastro doc. Likely is IBS, but be sure.