IBS is annoying, painful and sometimes embarrassing, but it is not life-threatening.
Some physicians rank the disorder with the common cold as the major cause of time lost from work.
Adolescents, young children and women experience this problem more than men. About one in five adult Americans has symptoms of IBS, but less than half of these people seek help. Although experts cannot pinpoint its exact cause, IBS may be related to abnormal muscle spasms in your stomach or intestines. But these emotions only aggravate the condition. Although a bowel movement temporarily relieves the pain, you may feel as if you can't empty your bowels completely.