Medical Encyclopaedia › Irritable bowel syndrome (short definition)
In brief: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder with recurring abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habits. It is not dangerous but can considerably impair quality of life.
Causes
In IBS, several factors interact: hypersensitive gut perception, disturbed communication between the gut and the brain, changes in the gut microbiome, mild inflammatory processes and psychological stress. Sometimes the condition begins after a gastrointestinal infection.
Symptoms
Depending on the type, diarrhoea, constipation or an alternation of the two predominates. Common symptoms are abdominal pain that improves after a bowel movement, bloating, a feeling of fullness and a sense of incomplete emptying.
Diagnosis
Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed when the symptoms have persisted for more than three months and other diseases have been ruled out, such as coeliac disease, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, lactose or fructose intolerance or bowel cancer. Warning signs such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, symptoms at night or onset at an older age require targeted investigation.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the main symptoms. Helpful options can include a change in diet, for example a temporary low-FODMAP diet with professional support, soluble fibre such as psyllium husks, certain probiotics, antispasmodics, peppermint oil and medicines against diarrhoea or constipation. Exercise, stress management, psychotherapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy also show positive effects in studies.
Related terms in the encyclopaedia
Microbiome, Bloating, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Lactose intolerance, Fructose intolerance, Coeliac disease, Probiotics, Dietary fibre
Further reading on Medizin Aktuell
Sources
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS) und Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurogastroenterologie und Motilität (DGNM): S3-Leitlinie Reizdarmsyndrom
- IQWiG: gesundheitsinformation.de – Gesundheitsinformationen des Instituts für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen
Note: This article is for general information and does not replace advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Last updated: October 2026.