The first question on most people's lips when they hear the term IBS is, what is it? The most important answer is that IBS is unlikely to be life-threatening. If you are in the unfortunate situation of experiencing pain in your digestive system, then you must see your medical practitioner/doctor to confirm that you do not have a serious condition i.

One symptom of bowel dysfunction is diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is when food passes through and out of the bowel very quickly.

When does diarrhoea occur? Diarrhoea is usually a reaction to food poisoning. You have eaten food which is full of bugs; the body's defence mechanism is engaged and the food is expelled from the body as fast as possible.

Diarrhoea may also occur when you are tense or scared.

One symptom of bowel dysfunction is constipation. Constipation is the irregular or the incomplete emptying of the bowel.

In these days of diet and nutritional awareness, most people would probably increase their fibre intake to remedy a sluggish bowel. Most people are aware that wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread. This type of fibre is called insoluble fibre.

The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS] is made by your medical doctor mainly on the basis of what symptoms you are experiencing. Typical symptoms are bloating, abdominal pain/cramps, constipation and diarrhoea. Typical causes are a bad diet, food poisoning, a prolonged course of antibiotics or an operation around the pelvic area.

Following on from your story of your symptoms, the doctor may physically examine you.

One factor that is said to exacerbate IBS is the pace of life today. If you're feeling bloated there is a great temptation to skip a meal. The theory being that the less you eat the less trouble your bowel will give you. Also when you are feeling bloated you don't feel like eating anyway because you know the pain will worse after you have eaten, even if you are hungry at the time.

The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain that comes and goes in a colicky manner, bloating where it feels like your stomach wants to explode, constipation or diarrhoea or both. In addition there is a change in the appearance and consistency of the stool in that it may be different colours and it is more than likely going to be covered with mucous, particularly the first pellet.