Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of chronic or recurrent functional bowel disorders characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits and/or stool consistency, without any structural or biochemical abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract. It is the most common functional bowel disease. Surveys indicate that IBS predominantly affects young and middle-aged adults, with a high incidence between 18 and 30 years of age. Onset after 50 years of age is rare. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits and/or stool consistency. Abdominal pain often improves after defecation.