National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Also called: IBS, Irritable colon
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Some go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.
IBS is a common disorder and happens more often in women than men. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for IBS. However, your doctor may run tests to be sure you don't have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management and medicine.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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Start Here
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Also available in Spanish
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Basics
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Learn More
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Multimedia & Cool Tools
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For group Basics
For group Learn More
For group Multimedia & Cool Tools
The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Reference Shelf
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For You
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For group Research
For group Reference Shelf
For group For You
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Overviews
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Grumbling Guts?(National Institutes of Health)
- Introduction to IBS: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Testing(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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What I Need to Know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Grumbling Guts?
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Latest News
- Health Tip: Keep Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Check(09/20/2012, HealthDay)
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor(Harvard Medical School)
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MedlinePlus: Colonoscopy(National Library of Medicine)
- Also available in Spanish
- Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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Treatment
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Medications (for IBS)
(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Psychological Treatment(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Treatment Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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Medications (for IBS)
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Alternative Therapy
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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Oral Probiotics(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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Peppermint Oil(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices
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Nutrition
- Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- IBS Diet(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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Coping
- Are You a Gut Responder? Hints on Coping with an Irritable Bowel(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
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Disease Management
- Relaxation Techniques to Manage IBS Symptoms(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Sleep and Irritable Bowel Syndrome(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Travel Tips Help IBS Sufferers Enjoy Their Vacations(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
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Specific Conditions
- Post-Infectious IBS (IBS-PI)(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
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Related Issues
- IBS and IBD: Two Very Different Disorders(Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
- IBS and Non-GI Functional Disorders(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Heartburn, Dyspepsia: What's the Difference?(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) - PDF
- Spastic Colon: What Does It Mean?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Health Check Tools
- Take the IBS Test(American College of Gastroenterology)
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Tutorials
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Diseases, Functional(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Diseases, Functional
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Research
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Placebos Effectively Treat IBS Symptoms(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Placebos Effectively Treat IBS Symptoms
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
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Digestive Diseases Dictionary(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Also available in Spanish
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Digestive Diseases Dictionary
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Directories
- Find a Gastroenterologist(American College of Gastroenterology)
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Organizations
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Children
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation)
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Teenagers
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation)
- Return to top
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Women
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
- Also available in Spanish
- Pregnancy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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Patient Handouts
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Languages
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Multiple Languages
