Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a relapsing bowel disorder in which abdominal pain is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habit. Bloating and distension are often also accompanying symptoms. IBS is defined by symptom-based diagnostic criteria, in the absence of detectable organic causes. The symptoms are not specific for IBS.1
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/irritable-bowel-syndrome-pro