Functional disorders as defined as variable combinations of chronic or recurrent symptoms not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. An irritable bowel is a normal healthy bowel, both to the naked eye and under colonoscopic exam . Doctors look for a pattern of symptoms when diagnosing irritable bowel. If you experience three of the most common symptoms for more than three days and you have not had symptoms that indicate bowel disease , then a diagnosis of irritable bowel can usually be made. Having an irritable bowel makes the individual more sensitive to stress, food and other stimulants, but it does not lead to bowel cancer, or other serious bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcers, or colitis.
Irritable bowel affects men and women of all age groups and all races.
However, it usually strikes young, healthy adults often prior to the age of thirty. IBS symptom onset after the age of forty is less common and should certainly be reported to your physician. Studies indicate that twice as many women are affected than men . Hispanics are slightly less affected by irritable bowel than Caucasians and African Americans. Some studies report a lower incidence in older individuals, but more current studies do not conclusively support these findings.