Health Information
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Understanding This Symptom
Medical Definition
Subject Matter Expert Verified
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic digestive disorder that causes recurring abdominal pain linked to bowel movements, along with changes in how often you poop and the texture of your stool.
It happens when the communication between your gut and brain breaks down, making your intestines overly sensitive and affecting how food moves through your system.
Unlike more serious bowel diseases, IBS does not cause visible damage to your intestines.
Quick Facts
What Optimal Health Looks Like
Understanding how your body functions when healthy helps identify dysfunction
A healthy digestive system operates like a well-coordinated assembly line.
The migrating motor complex (MMC) - a rhythmic electrical pattern - sweeps the intestines every 90-120 minutes during fasting states, keeping bacterial populations in check and clearing debris.
The gut microbiome contains trillions of bacteria that ferment dietary fiber, produce vitamins (K2, B12), and maintain immune balance.
The intestinal barrier is sealed by tight junctions between epithelial cells, preventing undigested food and bacteria from leaking into the bloodstream.
Healthy Function
Your body is designed to maintain balance and self-regulate
How This Develops
IBS involves multiple interconnected biological mechanisms that create a perfect storm of digestive dysfunction: **Gut-Brain Axis Dysregulation**: The bidirectional communication between the enteric nervous system and central nervous system via the vagus nerve is disrupted.
Altered serotonin signaling (90% of serotonin receptors are in the gut) affects gut motility, secretion, and pain perception.
This dysregulation amplifies stress signals and creates a feedback loop where gut symptoms increase anxiety, which in turn worsens gut symptoms.
**Visceral Hypersensitivity**: Patients with IBS have heightened pain receptors (nociceptors) in the gut wall that respond exaggeratedly to normal stimuli.
This visceral hypersensitivity means that normal intestinal distension, gas, or contractions are perceived as painful.
Understanding the mechanism helps us target the root cause rather than just treating symptoms.
What Happens If Left Untreated
Understanding the consequences helps you make informed decisions about your health
Short-Term Consequences
Days to weeks
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Time Matters
Don't wait for symptoms to worsen. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.