PP
1
1
Mild severity
· Gastroenterology
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS · Functional gut disorder
Brain-gut axis goes haywire — pain, bloating and altered bowel habits without structural disease. Low-FODMAP diet and CBT help most.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Common, often unspoken
- Typical age
- Young adults
- Outlook
- Manageable
- System
- Gut
Reviewed by a verified Gastroenterology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Brain-gut axis sensitivity
- Post-infection (post-infectious IBS)
- Diet (FODMAPs)
- Stress, anxiety, depression
- Microbiome imbalance
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Abdominal pain, relieved by stool
- Diarrhea, constipation or alternating
- Bloating, gas
- Mucus in stool
- Worse with stress
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Low-FODMAP diet (dietician guided)
- Antispasmodics for pain
- Loperamide or laxatives by subtype
- Peppermint oil capsules
- Gut-directed CBT, hypnotherapy
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Eat regular meals
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Manage stress
- Identify food triggers
Do’s
- Try low-FODMAP for 4–6 weeks
- Keep a food and symptom diary
- Move daily
- Treat anxiety if present
Don’ts
- Self-cut entire food groups long term
- Take antibiotics for IBS routinely
- Ignore blood in stool or weight loss
- Crash-diet
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all gastroenterology doctors Top 4 doctors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
AM
2
2
KR
3
3
KN
4
4
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.