14 Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms You Need to Know

Irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive condition that affects people of all ages and genders, although it is twice as frequent in women and mostly developed at a young age. It has been defined as a chronic condition, so to date there is no identified cure for it. Even more, the exact causes and mechanisms of the syndrome are yet unknown, although there are some hypotheses that link it to neurological, psychological and emotional disorders.

This syndrome affects the function of the large intestines, although the lining of the bowel itself appears as normal when these patients undergo deeper studies. In most cases, the symptoms can be controlled with a good diet and stress management, and most people with irritable bowel syndrome have only mild or moderate symptoms. Here is a list of 10 irritable bowel syndrome symptoms you need to know, in order to have an idea of whether or not you could have this condition.

1. Abdominal cramping

Irritable bowel syndrome is mostly known for the disturbances it causes in the large intestine and bowel movements. One of the main symptoms of this syndrome is abdominal pain. The exact cause of the pain is yet to be understood, but many doctors think that it is caused by abnormal contractions of the muscles that make up the most of the tissue of bowels.

These muscles contract and relax to make the fecal matter move along the bowel, from one end to the other. These contractions shouldn’t be too strong or too weak, but at a point of equilibrium where they can fulfill their function. When a muscle contracts too strongly, it can produce a reaction of pain, and this is called a cramp. People with irritable bowel syndrome often report feeling cramps in their lower belly, which could be caused by an abnormality in the contraction if intestinal muscles.