Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)/symptoms

The main symptoms of IBS are:

• stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo


• bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen


• diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly


• constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully

There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they're worse (flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.

IBS can also cause:

• farting (flatulence)


• passing mucus from your bottom


• tiredness and a lack of energy


• feeling sick (nausea)


• backache


• problems peeing, like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder


• not always being able to control when you poo (bowel incontinence)

See a GP if you think you might have IBS