What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

Pain may improve after passing stool, while bowel movements can become more frequent, less frequent, looser or harder than usual. Bloating, excessive burping, wind, urgency, a feeling of incomplete emptying and mucus in the stool can also occur. Symptoms may fluctuate, with food, stress, infection or changes in routine acting as triggers for some people.

IBS is diagnosed from the pattern and duration of symptoms after other explanations have been considered. Abdominal pain with altered bowel habits does not by itself identify the cause, so new or changing symptoms deserve a clinical review.

Keep a diary of pain, stool pattern, meals, stress, sleep and medicines. Eat regularly, drink enough fluid, and increase or reduce fibre gradually rather than making abrupt changes. Gentle activity may support bowel regularity. A GP Consultation can review your history and decide whether tests are appropriate.

Food restriction can become unnecessarily broad. Nutrition Counselling may help you identify practical changes, while Food Intolerance Testing should be considered only when a clinician thinks it fits your symptoms and history.

Arrange prompt review for blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, symptoms that wake you repeatedly, anaemia, a new bowel change later in life, or a close family history of bowel disease. Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen rigid abdomen, fainting or inability to pass stool and gas.

Ask: Does my pattern fit IBS? Which warning signs should I monitor? Do I need blood or stool tests? What bowel and food diary would be useful? Could a dietitian help without unnecessary food restrictions?