The main symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) are:
- stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
- bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
- diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
- constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully
There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they're worse (flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.
IBS flare-ups can happen for no obvious reason. Sometimes they have a trigger like:
- alcohol
- caffeine
- certain foods, such as spicy or fatty food
- stress and anxiety
- regular antibiotic use
Other symptoms of IBS
IBS can also cause:
- farting (flatulence)
- pooing mucus
- tiredness and a lack of energy
- feeling sick (nausea)
- backache
- problems peeing, like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
- not always being able to control when you poo (bowel incontinence)
See a GP if:
- you think you might have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and have had symptoms for over 4 weeks
They can check for IBS and do some tests to rule out other problems.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you have lost a lot of weight for no reason
- you're bleeding from your bottom or have bloody diarrhoea
- you find a hard lump or swelling in your tummy
- you have shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeats (palpitations) and skin that's paler than usual
These could be signs of something more serious.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
