9/14/2019 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - Symptoms - NHS

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Symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
What is IBS? (Link: /conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/)
Symptoms
Getting diagnosed (Link: /conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/getting-
diagnosed/)
Diet, lifestyle and medicines (Link: /conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-
ibs/diet-lifestyle-and-medicines/)
Further help and support (Link: /conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-
ibs/further-help-and-support/)

(Link: ) (Link: )
Common irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
symptoms
The main symptoms of IBS are:

stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a
poo
bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty
your bowels fully
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(Link: ) symptoms are better and days when they're worse
(flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.
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9/14/2019 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - Symptoms - NHS

What can trigger IBS symptoms

(Link: )

Other symptoms of IBS

IBS can also cause:
farting (flatulence)
passing mucus from your bottom
tiredness and a lack of energy
feeling sick (nausea)
backache
problems peeing – like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling
like you cannot fully empty your bladder
not always being able to control when you poo (incontinence)

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See a GP if you think you might have IBS

They can check for IBS and do some tests to rule out other problems.

Ask for an urgent appointment if you have:

lost a lot of weight for no reason
bleeding from your bottom or bloody diarrhoea
a hard lump or swelling in your tummy
shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (palpitations) and pale skin
These could be signs of something more serious.

Page last reviewed: 9 October 2017

Next review due: 9 October 2020
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9/14/2019 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - Symptoms - NHS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Getting diagnosed

(Link: /conditions/irritable-bowel- (Link: /conditions/irritable-bowel-
syndrome-ibs/) syndrome-ibs/getting-diagnosed/)

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