I have been told that I have IBS. What is that?

The irritable bowel syndrome actually is a group of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract which are not associated with any anatomic abnormality to explain their symptoms. People who are labeled as having IBS may have symptoms which result from problems with the emptying of an anatomically normal stomach, from a small bowel which empties too rapidly, from an unusual sensitivity to normal pressures within the intestinal tract, with cramping, from diarrhea, from constipation, from alternating constipation and diarrhea, from mucus secretion from the bowel, or from any combination of these symptoms. The diagnosis of IBS rightfully requires an initial evaluation to make sure that there are no anatomical abnormalities, infections, or diseases to account for the symptoms the patient experiences. Unfortunately too often, a patient may only have a colonoscopy which is normal and no further evaluation before being labeled as an irritable bowel patient. The evaluation for seemingly functional symptoms should also include a Lactose tolerance test, solid phase gastric emptying test, and blood tests to look for gluten enteropathy, malabsorption, or pancreatobiliary disease. Treatment is symptomatic, depending upon the nature of the symptom.