There's no denying that the symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, and irregular bowel movements are unpleasant. They can also cause a great deal of discomfort and distress. However, these symptoms do not permanently harm the intestines. They also do not lead to intestinal bleeding or a serious disease such as cancer. In fact, people with IBS tend to be generally healthy otherwise.
Some people consider the condition to be an annoyance more than a serious health problem.
Yet, for many people, symptoms can be severe enough to be disabling, seriously affecting their quality of life. At best, they may feel uncomfortable for many hours or days at a time. At worst, sufferers may have to miss work, social events, or avoid traveling far from home. They can also lose the ability to enjoy the things we all take for granted in life, such as food, sleep, and a sex life. Read more about the effects of IBS on a person's quality of life here .