Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon, is a functional bowel disorder characterized by persistent abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and changes in bowel habits without any identifiable organic cause. The symptoms may be alleviated by bowel movements.

IBS can manifest as predominance of diarrhea or constipation, or a fluctuation between the two (classified as IBS-D, IBS-C, or IBS-A, respectively). It can be triggered by factors such as infections (post-infectious IBS or IBS-PI), stressful life events, or the onset of adulthood without any other medical indications. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is associated with various conditions, including celiac disease, mild infections, parasitic infections like giardiasis, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic functional constipation, and chronic functional abdominal pain. Some individuals with IBS may also experience intense itching and a burning sensation on the scalp, referred to as Irritable Bowel Syndrome scalp.

Symptoms and Signs of IBS

1. Chronic abdominal pain or cramps that are relieved after passing stools
2. Abdominal bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
3. Excessive flatulence or gas in the stomach
4. Alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation
5. Passing mucus with the stools
6. Altered bowel habits, including changes in stool consistency and frequency
7. Relief of symptoms after bowel movements
8. Fluctuation between diarrhea and constipation (IBS-D or IBS-C)
9. Onset of symptoms following an infection or stressful event (post-infectious IBS)
10. Symptoms emerging during the transition to adulthood without other medical indications
11. Association with conditions like celiac disease, mild infections, and parasitic infections such as giardiasis
12. Connection with inflammatory bowel diseases
13. Presence of functional chronic constipation
14. Experience of chronic functional abdominal pain
15. Possible occurrence of severe itching and a burning sensation on the scalp (Irritable Bowel Syndrome scalp)