Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGI SymptomsNon-GI SymptomsEffectsCausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
GI Symptoms
Non-GI Symptoms
Effects
Causes
Treatment
Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report symptoms not directly related to the bowel—symptoms healthcare providers call extra-intestinal symptoms. You may experience these in other parts of thedigestive systemor elsewhere in your body.
That means, along with IBS symptoms, you may also be dealing with puzzling, chronic symptoms that can be uncomfortable and have a major impact on your life.
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The mainIBS symptomsare related to your digestive system. This includes:
You may also experience symptoms elsewhere in the body, including some related to digestion, but not the bowel. The most common are:
The physical symptoms of IBS that are completely separate from the digestive tract can be harder to wrap your head around.
According to researchers at the University of North Carolina, the most commonly reported non-gastrointestinal symptoms associated with IBS are:
Other reported symptoms include:
Theories abound as to why IBS increases your risk of these extra-intestinal symptoms. The wide variety of reported physical problems makes it challenging to find a common, underlying explanation.
It may be a combination of factors—including those yet to be uncovered—that contribute to the problem of extra-intestinal symptoms. The debate on this subject is ongoing and includes two main areas of inquiry.
Underlying Biological Cause
In the search for a unifying biological factor, researchers are looking at several systems that may be dysregulated or dysfunctional, including:
Psychological FactorsResearch into the role of psychological factors as possible contributors to extra-intestinal symptoms has pinpointed two possibilities. IBS patients may be more likely to:Experience emotions as physical symptomsHave a tendency to be hyper-aware of bodily sensations
Research into the role of psychological factors as possible contributors to extra-intestinal symptoms has pinpointed two possibilities. IBS patients may be more likely to:
Other Theories
Along the same lines is the theory that increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome) is playing a part. At this point, there is not enough research to make any firm conclusions.
What Causes IBS?
Treatments
The high frequency of extra-intestinal symptoms in IBS suggests that this is a problem that needs to receive proper attention from the medical establishment.
The strength of the healthcare provider-patient relationship appears to have a beneficial effect on patient outcomes, particularly in IBS. Your healthcare provider needs to take your health concerns seriously and work to develop aneffective treatment planthat addresses all of your physical complaints.
Focusing on interventions that address the body as a whole might prove helpful. This includesdietary modifications,herbal supplements,antidepressants, and brain/gut interventions such ascognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) or hypnotherapy.
IBS Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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You can educate yourself about red-flag digestive symptoms to ease the anxiety that something more serious is being missed.
Red-Flag Symptoms: Report These Immediately
A Word From Verywell
Meanwhile, work closely with your healthcare team to find ways to manage all of your symptoms so you can feel better and enjoy your life.
Symptoms That IBS Patients Should Report to Their Healthcare Provider Immediately
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Palsson OS, Whitehead WE.IBS - Beyond the bowel: The meaning of co-existing medical problems. UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders.Barbara G, Cremon C, Carini G, et al.The immune system in irritable bowel syndrome.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011;17(4):349–359. doi:10.5056/jnm.2011.17.4.349Muscatello MR, Bruno A, Mento C, Pandolfo G, Zoccali RA.Personality traits and emotional patterns in irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(28):6402–6415. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i28.6402Gecse K, Róka R, Séra T, et al.Leaky gut in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and inactive ulcerative colitis.Digestion. 2012;85(1):40-6. doi:10.1159/000333083
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Palsson OS, Whitehead WE.IBS - Beyond the bowel: The meaning of co-existing medical problems. UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders.Barbara G, Cremon C, Carini G, et al.The immune system in irritable bowel syndrome.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011;17(4):349–359. doi:10.5056/jnm.2011.17.4.349Muscatello MR, Bruno A, Mento C, Pandolfo G, Zoccali RA.Personality traits and emotional patterns in irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(28):6402–6415. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i28.6402Gecse K, Róka R, Séra T, et al.Leaky gut in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and inactive ulcerative colitis.Digestion. 2012;85(1):40-6. doi:10.1159/000333083
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Palsson OS, Whitehead WE.IBS - Beyond the bowel: The meaning of co-existing medical problems. UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders.Barbara G, Cremon C, Carini G, et al.The immune system in irritable bowel syndrome.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011;17(4):349–359. doi:10.5056/jnm.2011.17.4.349Muscatello MR, Bruno A, Mento C, Pandolfo G, Zoccali RA.Personality traits and emotional patterns in irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(28):6402–6415. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i28.6402Gecse K, Róka R, Séra T, et al.Leaky gut in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and inactive ulcerative colitis.Digestion. 2012;85(1):40-6. doi:10.1159/000333083
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.
Palsson OS, Whitehead WE.IBS - Beyond the bowel: The meaning of co-existing medical problems. UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders.
Barbara G, Cremon C, Carini G, et al.The immune system in irritable bowel syndrome.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011;17(4):349–359. doi:10.5056/jnm.2011.17.4.349
Muscatello MR, Bruno A, Mento C, Pandolfo G, Zoccali RA.Personality traits and emotional patterns in irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(28):6402–6415. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i28.6402
Gecse K, Róka R, Séra T, et al.Leaky gut in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and inactive ulcerative colitis.Digestion. 2012;85(1):40-6. doi:10.1159/000333083
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