Dr Ajesh Bansal

(IBS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME)

IBS-C (IBS WITH CONSTIPATION)

IBS-C is a type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome where constipation is the predominant symptom. It affects the digestive system, causing discomfort, pain, and irregular bowel movements.

Symptoms of IBS-C:

Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
Infrequent bowel movements (less than 3 times per week)
Straining during bowel movements
Abdominal pain or cramping, often relieved after passing stool
A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying

Causes & Triggers: The exact cause of IBS-C is unknown, but it is linked to:

Slow gut motility: The intestines move food too slowly, leading to hard stools.
Brain-gut connection issues: Miscommunication between the brain and intestines affects bowel movements.
Dietary triggers: Low fiber, high-fat foods, dairy, and processed foods can worsen symptoms.
Stress and anxiety: Emotional stress can impact digestion and slow down bowel function.
Hormonal changes: Many women report worsened symptoms during menstruation.

IBS-D (IBS with Diarrhea)

IBS-D is a subtype of Irritable Bowel Syndrome where diarrhea is the predominant symptom. It affects digestion, leading to frequent and urgent bowel movements, discomfort, and bloating.

Symptoms of IBS-D:

Frequent loose or watery stools (more than three times a day)
Sudden urgency to use the bathroom
Abdominal pain or cramping, often relieved after a bowel movement
Bloating and excessive gas
Mucus in stools
Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying

Causes & Triggers:

Abnormal gut motility: The intestines contract too fast, leading to diarrhea.
Brain-gut dysfunction: Miscommunication between the brain and gut affects digestion.
Food triggers: High-fat foods, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and spicy foods.
Stress and anxiety: Emotional distress can worsen symptoms.
Hormonal changes: Some women experience worsening symptoms during their menstrual cycle.
Gut infections or imbalance: Past infections or changes in gut bacteria can contribute.

IBS-M (Mixed IBS or IBS-A – Alternating)

IBS-M (also called IBS-A) is a type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome where both constipation and diarrhea alternate unpredictably. This can make management more challenging, as the symptoms switch between extremes.

Symptoms of IBS-M:

Alternating between constipation (IBS-C) and diarrhea (IBS-D)
Irregular bowel habits (some days with hard stools, others with loose stools)
Abdominal pain and cramping, often relieved after a bowel movement
Bloating and excessive gas
A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying

Causes & Triggers:

Gut motility dysfunction: The intestines may alternate between moving too fast and too slow.
Brain-gut communication issues: Nerve signals between the brain and intestines can be disrupted.
Food triggers: Dairy, fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, and high-FODMAP foods can worsen symptoms.
Stress and anxiety: Emotional factors can cause symptoms to fluctuate.
Hormonal changes: Many women notice worsening symptoms around their menstrual cycle.

IBS-U (Unclassified IBS)

IBS-U is a subtype of Irritable Bowel Syndrome where symptoms do not fit into the typical patterns of IBS-C (constipation-predominant), IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant), or IBS-M (mixed type). People with IBS-U experience irregular symptoms that vary in severity and do not follow a clear pattern.

Symptoms of IBS-U:

Irregular bowel movements that do not consistently fit into constipation or diarrhea categories
Abdominal pain and cramping
Bloating and excessive gas
A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
Unpredictable symptom patterns