If you frequently suffer from abdominal pain, bloating and a change in your bowel habit, you are not alone. This condition is often referred to as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS and is very common. In fact, approximately 15% of people in Australia suffer from IBS.1
IBS is a chronic condition and is very costly to the community in terms of medical consultations, days missed from work as well as the cost of medications. IBS can also have a significant effect on the quality of life1.
IBS affects the nerves and muscles of the colon or large intestine. This is the part of the digestive system that stores stool. People who suffer from IBS appear to have oversensitive nerves and abnormalities in the contractions of the bowel muscles. IBS does not damage the colon or other parts of the digestive system and does not lead to other bowel or health problems1.
1Digestive Health Foundation, Clinical Update: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS, 2nd Edition, 2006, Gastroenterological Society of Australia.
2Digestive Health Foundation Information about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). 3rd Edition 2010. Gastroenterological Society of Australia.
3Liu JH, et al. J Gastroenterol. 1997; 32:765-768.