What it means
A common disorder of how the bowel works, not of its structure: tests and scopes look normal, but the client has repeated cramping belly pain, bloating, and diarrheady-uh-REE-uhLoose or watery stools, usually three or more times a day or more often than normal for the person.dia- through-rrhea flowFull entry , constipationkon-stih-PAY-shunBowel movements that happen less often than usual, with hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass.Full entry or both. Symptoms often get better after a bowel movement and can be set off by certain foods and by stress. It does not damage the bowel and is different from inflammatory bowel diseasein-FLAM-uh-tor-ee BOW-ul dih-ZEEZA group of long-term diseases, mainly Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed.Full entry .
For the nurse
Ask about bowel patterns, foods that bring on symptoms and stress. Teach the client to keep a food and symptom diary, eat regular meals, drink enough fluid, add fiber slowly and stay active. Report blood in the stool, weight loss or anemia, because these do not fit IBS.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | IBS |
|---|---|
| Spanish | síndrome del intestino irritable |
| Also written | IBS |
Related terms
diarrhea
Loose or watery stools, usually three or more times a day or more often than normal for the person.
gastrointestinal
Having to do with the stomach and intestines, or with the whole digestive tract from the mouth to the anus.
constipation
Bowel movements that happen less often than usual, with hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass.
inflammatory bowel disease
A group of long-term diseases, mainly Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed.