Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
En Español (Spanish Version)IBS symptoms affect the intestines. The symptoms may come and go.
Normal Anatomy of the Intestines
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Symptoms of IBS range in intensity from mild to severe and include the following:
- Abdominal cramps
- Gas
- Bloating
- Pain that resolves with a bowel movement
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation
- Loose stools
- Urge to move bowels but no stool is passed
- Urge to move bowels after having a bowel movement
- Mucus in the stool
If you see blood in the stool, consult your doctor immediately.
American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at:
http://www.gastro.org. Accessed March 6, 2006.
Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2000.
Last Reviewed October 2012