Common symptoms
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Bloating
- Altered bowel habits
- Symptoms relieved by defecation
Common causes
- Gut-brain axis dysregulation
- Low-grade mucosal inflammation
- FODMAP sensitivity (some)
- Stress and sleep
IBS is not 'in your head', but the gut–brain loop is real, and structured non-pharmacological interventions outperform medication for the majority of patients.
Diagnosis
Clinical (Rome IV), with targeted exclusion testing only when alarm features are present.
Treatment overview
Structured low-FODMAP trial with registered dietitian, gut-directed CBT or hypnotherapy, and pharmacology only for specific subtypes.
When to book
If symptoms have been present for more than 6 months, book the IBS clinic.