Unlike persons with long-term ulcerative colitis, they are not at higher risk for colon cancer. IBS can, however, be very painful and can severely affect a person's quality of life. Symptoms and Diagnosis IBS is a disturbance of the function of the colon. Patients suffer from chronic diarrhea or constipation, or alternating bouts of the two. Other common symptoms are bloating, abdominal pain, and spasm.
Some people experience nausea.
People with these symptoms should consult a physician immediately. To diagnose IBS accurately, physicians require a detailed medical history and a thorough physical examination. Cause The cause of IBS is not completely understood. Stress can aggravate this condition, but is not the cause. People with IBS commonly respond to these events by developing more pronounced contractions in the bowel, which seem to be responsible for the sensations of bloating, discomfort, and urgency.