Synonyms in a broader sense
RDS, irritable colon, irritable colon, “nervous bowel” colon
Definition Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome causes complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, for example pain, a feeling of fullness, flatulence or even diarrhoea and constipation alternately. Irritable bowel syndrome is a medical term used in gastroenterology to describe a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. “Functional” in this case means that a person affected suffers from chronic complaints such as abdominal pain or changes in stool habits (which usually do not occur at night or only in a weakened form), without these being explained by recognizable changes or diseases or inflammations in the digestive organs. For this reason, it usually takes quite a long time before irritable bowel syndrome can be diagnosed, since all other diseases that can be reconciled with the symptoms that occur must be excluded beforehand. Although the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can significantly reduce a patient’s general condition, they do not carry an increased risk of other diseases and do not have a limited life expectancy.
Occurrence in the population
About 20% of the total population and half of all patients with gastrointestinal complaints suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. Often the complaints begin in the 3rd decade of life and the frequency peak is between the ages of 30 and 40. Women are affected twice as often as men.
Besides dyspepsia, it is the most common gastrointestinal tract-related disorder. It is difficult to make statements about the exact frequency of irritable bowel syndrome, as most of those affected do not seek medical help. The clinical picture can consist of 4 different facets, which can occur in combination.
- Cramp-like pain of the lower abdomen, which can be improved by defecation and made worse by stress. They do not necessarily occur permanently, but can subside in between to reoccur again.
- “Flatulence” and “feeling of fullness”, which manifests itself as a feeling of tension and pressure in the lower abdomen
- Accompanying constipation or diarrhea, possibly also alternating, in which mucus may be discharged. During the pain episodes, mushy stools often occur.
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