What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are abdominal discomfort, which, especially if not relieved, will develop into abdominal cramps, sometimes even lasting for hours, and the patient will also show symptoms of diarrhea and constipation.

(1) Abdominal pain and discomfort: There is often discomfort or abdominal pain along the intestinal tract, which may develop into colic and last for several minutes to several hours, and is relieved after passing gas or defecation. Some foods such as crude fiber vegetables, coarse fruits, strong condiments, alcohol, cold drinks, etc. can induce abdominal pain. But the abdominal pain did not progressively worsen. It does not occur during sleep.

(2) Diarrhea or unformed stools: Often have multiple bowel movements after meals, especially after breakfast. It may also occur at other times, but not at night. Occasionally, the bowel movement may be up to 10 times or more. However, the amount of stool each time is small and the total amount rarely exceeds the normal range. Sometimes there are only 1 to 2 bowel movements, but they are unformed. Diarrhea or unformed stools sometimes alternate with normal stools or constipation.

(3) Constipation: Bowel movements 1 to 2 times a week, occasionally once every 10 days or more. It is often intermittent in the early stage, but becomes continuous in the later stage and requires the use of laxatives.

(4) Abnormal defecation process: Patients often experience symptoms such as difficulty in defecation, a feeling of incomplete defecation, or urgency.

(5) Mucus stool: The stool often contains a small amount of mucus. However, large amounts of mucus or mucus casts are occasionally discharged.

(6) Abdominal distension: It is obvious during the day and relieved after sleep at night. Generally, the abdominal circumference does not increase.

2. Physical signs: The cecum and sigmoid colon are often palpable, and the cecum often feels like an inflated intestine; the sigmoid colon often feels like a cord-like spasmodic intestine or fecal masses can be felt. There may be mild tenderness when the intestinal tract is touched, but the tenderness is not fixed and the pain disappears with continuous pressure. Some patients experience pain during digital rectal examination and feel increased sphincter tension.