Typical Irritable Bowel symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. Some people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome tend to alternate constipation with normal stools, while others tend to experience diarrhoea first thing in the morning or after eating when there may be an urgent need to go to the toilet.
The cause of IBS is unknown, but factors such as a change to routine, emotional stress, infection and diet are thought to contribute to it and trigger an attack.
Identifying and avoiding individual triggers are the first steps in helping prevent symptoms of IBS. Treatment options may include careful changes to diet, laxatives if required and/or antidiarrhoea medication.
