Understanding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

According to the American Gastroenterological Association, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects more than 35 million Americans. IBS is a disorder of the large intestine that causes reoccurring issues with abdominal pain and irregular bowel habits. Although IBS is not life-threatening and does not lead to more serious conditions, such as cancer or intestinal bleeding, it can significantly disrupt daily life.

IBS symptoms

IBS symptoms vary from person to person, but common signs include:

• Intermittent abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal bloating or excessive gas
• Mucus in the stool
• Diarrhea, constipation or alternating episodes of both

While there is currently no cure for IBS, there are ways to manage symptoms to keep them from impacting your day-to-day activities. Keep reading to learn tips to help manage IBS.

IBS risk factors

IBS is a common disease that can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase the risk of developing IBS.

These risk factors include:

• Gender: Women are more likely to get IBS than men.
• Age: Symptoms often begin before age 50, with IBS occurring most often in people in their late teens to early 40s.
• Family history: A family history of IBS may increase your likelihood of developing it.
• Stress and mental health: Stressful events may trigger or worsen symptoms.

Different types of IBS

IBS can be broken down into subtypes, depending on the symptoms you have.

• Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D): IBS-D is the most common subtype of IBS. This subtype is mostly associated with symptoms of diarrhea.

• Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C): IBS -C is mostly associated with symptoms of constipation.

• Irritable bowel syndrome mixed (IBS-M): IBS-M is mostly associated with symptoms of both constipation and diarrhea.

 

Diagnosing IBS

To better understand your symptoms and to determine whether or not you have IBS, your healthcare provider will want detailed information about your current health and your health history.

To get a clear picture of your health and symptoms, your provider may:

• Ask about the details of your symptoms. Use a symptom tracker or take notes for several days/weeks before your appointment to help you give specific details about your symptoms.
• Ask about your family history to see if anyone in your family has other gastrointestinal issues.
• Do a physical examination of your abdomen.
• Do a blood test or a stool test to rule out other causes of abdominal symptoms.

Managing IBS

IBS can be disruptive to your daily life, but managing your symptoms through lifestyle changes may help you lessen symptom effects.

Dietary changes

Your provider may recommend keeping a food journal to help you keep track of foods that appear  trigger your symptoms. Trigger foods for some people include dairy, gluten, caffeine, alcohol and high-fat foods. Increasing your fiber intake may also help you digest food more easily and improve your symptoms.

Before making any changes to your diet, talk to your provider or a registered dietitian.

Stress management

Practicing relaxation techniques, such as exercise, meditation and therapy can help reduce symptoms and also improve your coping skills in dealing with symptoms. Chronic stress is known to cause stomach and digestive issues, so managing your stress can help improve IBS symptoms.

Medications

Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the counter or prescription medications to address specific concerns like pain, diarrhea or constipation.

Probiotics

Some people find that incorporating probiotics into their diet helps lessen symptoms. Be sure to talk to your provider before adding any new supplements to your diet.

Talk to your provider

If you experience persistent digestive discomfort, speak with your healthcare provider to help determine the best approach to manage your symptoms and improve your overall wellbeing.

If you’re a Blue Cross of Idaho member and need help finding a provider, you can log in to your member account and select Find Care to search for providers by location, specialty and more. You can also find providers on the Blue Cross of Idaho member app. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

Published: May 15, 2025