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What is IBS?

	IBS is not... An infection A contagious disease A life-threatening illness Pre-cursor to colon cancer A rare disorder A temporary problem "In your head"

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the United States, affecting up to one in five Americans.

IBS isn't a life-threatening disease -- but it certainly affects a person's quality of life. The symptoms, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, both constipation and diarrhea, and abdominal pain, can be physically painful as well as personally embarrassing.

Get the facts

IBS is "functional bowel disorder," meaning that the intestines appear healthy but don't function the way they should. They become very sensitive and then squeeze too hard or not hard enough, causing stools to move too quickly or too slowly through the intestine. IBS is also called "spastic colon" or "irritable colon."

If you think you could have IBS, already know that you have IBS or are close to someone with IBS, here are some important things to know:

• IBS is a real medical problem, but there can be challenges in diagnosing it.
• IBS can affect people at any age, and often begins in adolescence and early adulthood. It typically begins around age 20.
• Women seem to develop IBS more often -- four out of five people with IBS are women.
• There are different types of IBS, and people can have different personal triggers and signs and symptoms.
• IBS can be a chronic or long-term condition whose symptoms can be better managed by working with your doctor to develop the right action plan.

Medical specialists are learning more about IBS every year. As they do, more effective treatment options are becoming available to relieve the pain and discomfort that IBS symptoms can cause.

Get the good news

Now that you have a few basic facts, it's time to explore IBSLiving.com to learn how to take charge and live better with your IBS symptoms.

You can learn about the latest medications, treatments, and lifestyle modifications by joining the Living Well with IBS program. You'll also be able to create your own individual action plan for managing IBS symptoms.

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