Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Not all migraineurs have IBS and not all people with IBS have migraine, but there is a significant percentage of people who have both. Enough to say that the two are associated with each other

Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms can wreak havoc on a normal lifestyle. While this syndrome mainly attacks women, it does occur in men and can be associated with stress and anxiety.

Although common (1/5 of Americans have it) many people are are reluctant to discuss this with their doctors. While a bit embarassing, remember your doctor has heard this before and will be able to discuss symptoms with you. The basic definition of IBS is a syndrome that has a constellation of symptoms that are listed below.

Most people have a mild case of IBS and unlike Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis, it does not increase your risk of colon cancer. Although there is some inflammation involved in IBS, mostly it consists of spasming of the intestines resulting in pain and bloating.

Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Bloating
• Gas and flatulence
• Diarrhea or constipation, sometimes alternating bouts of each
• Mucus in the stools

Causes Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Factors such as lifestyle and stress are important in IBS. As stress and anxiety seem to increase, so do attacks of IBS. Many times during a migraine, diarrhea may happen which supports the theory that the nervous system is involved. In fact there is a gastrocolonic reflex that happens and causes the spasms of the colon.

A diet for irritable bowel syndrome can really make a difference in your symptoms, as can medications for irritable bowel syndrome.

Although IBS is associated with migraine, see if you have other different types of headaches.