Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you'll need to manage long term. Only a small number of people with IBS have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress.
More-severe symptoms can be treated with medication and counselling. IBS doesn't cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer. In India, population-based studies estimate the prevalence of IBS at 10–20% and the incidence of IBS at 1–2% per year. Of people with IBS, approximately 10–20% seek medical care. An estimated 20–50% of gastroenterology referrals relate to this symptom complex.
