Irritable bowel syndrome (also called spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach) is a condition in which the colon muscle contracts more often than in people without IBS. Certain foods, medicines, and emotional stress are some factors that can trigger IBS.
Symptoms of IBS include:
• Abdominal pain and cramps.
• Excess gas.
• Bloating.
• Change in bowel habits such as harder, looser, or more urgent stools than usual.
• Alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Treatment includes:
• Avoiding caffeine.
• Increasing fiber in the diet.
• Monitoring which foods trigger IBS (and avoiding these foods).
• Minimizing stress or learning different ways to cope with stress.
• Sometimes taking medicines as prescribed by your healthcare provider.