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What is IBS?

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a common gut disorder and it is by far the most common illness diagnosed by gastroenterologists in the UK and USA accounting for approximately 65% of all cases referred from a GP.

IBS is what is known as a functional disorder. A functional disorder means that there is a problem (i.e. something not functioning as it should) with a certain part of the body. For example depression is also considered a functional disorder. My understanding is - when an otherwise healthy part of the body is displaying symptoms, and it is otherwise free of injury or infection, it is classified as a functional disorder. So focusing on IBS this means that the gut, most often the colon (large intestine) if examined would appear normal and healthy (it is normal and healthy) as there is no disease present. The symptoms IBS patients experience are caused purely by the gut not functioning effectively. The gut is out of sync if you like.

IBS is often a long term, but manageable condition. There are various treatments and diets to help alleviate symptoms, although there is no single treatment that will work for everyone.

So we now know that IBS is a functional disorder (known as a syndrome), and not a disease. It is also worth noting that IBS does not alteration the gut or cause any other diseases. If you have IBS there is no increased risk of bowel cancer, or IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) such as Crohn’s Disease, or Colitis.

There seems to be quite a lot of confusion about what the difference is between a disease and a syndrome.

A disease is a condition which causes us harm or impairs bodily functions. It is classifiable by its symptoms and it is diagnosed as a single specific condition (disease).

A syndrome is a group of symptoms which occur together and are characteristic of a specific disorder. There is no single specific disease, just the collective symptoms which are referred to as the syndrome.

So with IBS for example, once specific diseases of the bowel have been ruled out via tests and medical investigation, you are left with a group of symptoms which are presenting without being caused by a specific disease, so this is then referred to as a syndrome.

With a disease such as Crohn’s disease for example you may have similar symptoms as IBS but during testing and medical investigation Crohn’s will be diagnosed as the specific disease.

So to summarise:

I - irritable = the functional part of the disorder.

B - bowel = relates to the area of symptoms.

S - syndrome = a basic definition for the word syndrome means a group of symptoms which are characteristic of a specific disorder.

* IBS is the most common gut complaint seen by gastroenterologists in the UK and USA.

* The gut is simply not functioning effectively, but otherwise it is healthy.

* There is no disease present, and IBS does not increase the risk of bowel cancer.

IBS Journal - An Irritable Bowel Syndrome Resource - I created IBS Journal which is an Irritable Bowel Syndrome website containing information and news on IBS, including symptoms, diets, treatments, and general related news and views.