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Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS is an illness that mainly affects the bowel or large intestine, (the bowel is an integral part of the digestive system which stores stools).

There are a number of symptoms involved with IBS hence the term ‘syndrome.’ Symptoms include cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, gas and constipation. Women who have IBS often develop more symptoms during their menstrual periods when the cramping can become very painful.

Although emotional stress does not cause IBS, it can trigger symptoms if a person already suffers from the syndrome. The bowel can overreact due to many reasons including hormones, exercise and food (milk products, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty foots or eating a large meal are especially triggers which can cause an attack)

The main symptoms associated with IBS are cramping pains, diarrhoea or constipation. Usually, a sufferer has either diarrhoea or constipation although some people suffer with both. Other symptoms can include mucus in the stool, the feeling that they have not finished a bowel movement or a swollen, bloated abdomen.

Please click on About IBS for a longer description.