Patients with IBS may experience some or all of the symptoms listed
below. Symptoms may occur together or at different times. Some people
experience symptoms every day, while others may go for months without
any symptoms at all.

The major symptoms of IBS include:

Abdominal
pain : IBS pain can occur throughout the abdomen. It can
range in severity from mild to unbearable. IBS pain can be described as
sharp, stabbing, cramp-like, constant or dull.

Bloating
and distension : Bloating is the feeling that there is
increased pressure or fullness in the abdomen, while distension is the
actual, measurable increase in abdominal size.

Diarrhea
: Diarrhea
is the condition of having frequent loose or liquid stools.

Constipation
: Constipation
is the condition of having dry, hard stools which are difficult to
pass.

Mucus in the stool : Mucus, a slippery, jelly-like substance
produced by mucus membranes in the body, is a normal element of stool.
However, the dysfunction of the colon associated with IBS may produce an
excess of mucus which will be visible in stools.

A change in bowel habits : The need for a bowel movement may
become more or less frequent than normal with IBS. Also, the perceived
need, that is, the feeling or urgency associated with a bowel movement,
may change from your normal habits.

Other symptoms of IBS may include anxiety, headache, sexual dysfunction,
fatigue, burping, bad breath, insomnia, backache and urinary
dysfunction, including the frequent urge to urinate or difficulty
urinating.