Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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    Katie Jantz

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    Nick Milazzo, Shyam Jayaraman
    Last Updated: January 22, 2025

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional disorder of the large intestine characterized by long-term changes in bowel habits (e.g., frequent diarrhea or constipation) and abdominal pain. The exact causes are unknown, but research suggests that multiple factors — such as the gut-brain axis, abnormal muscular contractions, and gut microbes — could play a role in the disease. IBS can be managed with dietary modifications, psychotherapy, supplements, and prescription medications.

    34 references on this page
    698,259 participants in 22 trials and 8 meta-analyses

    Overview

    Examine Database: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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    Examine Database References

    1. Breath Methane - Derrick K Ong, Shaylyn B Mitchell, Jacqueline S Barrett, Sue J Shepherd, Peter M Irving, Jessica R Biesiekierski, Stuart Smith, Peter R Gibson, Jane G MuirManipulation of dietary short chain carbohydrates alters the pattern of gas production and genesis of symptoms in irritable bowel syndromeJ Gastroenterol Hepatol.(2010 Aug)
    2. Fatigue Symptoms - Heidi Maria Staudacher, Miranda C E Lomer, Freda M Farquharson, Petra Louis, Francesca Fava, Elena Franciosi, Matthias Scholz, Kieran M Tuohy, James O Lindsay, Peter M Irving, Kevin WhelanA Diet Low in FODMAPs Reduces Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and A Probiotic Restores Bifidobacterium Species: A Randomized Controlled TrialGastroenterology.(2017 Oct)
    3. Fatigue Symptoms - Shanti Eswaran, William D Chey, Kenya Jackson, Sivaram Pillai, Samuel W Chey, Theresa Han-MarkeyA Diet Low in Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, and Monosaccharides and Polyols Improves Quality of Life and Reduces Activity Impairment in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and DiarrheaClin Gastroenterol Hepatol.(2017 Dec)
    4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Shanti L Eswaran, William D Chey, Theresa Han-Markey, Sarah Ball, Kenya JacksonA Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Low FODMAP Diet vs. Modified NICE Guidelines in US Adults with IBS-DAm J Gastroenterol.(2016 Dec)
    5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Mohammad Javad Zahedi, Vahideh Behrouz, Maryam AzimiLow fermentable oligo-di-mono-saccharides and polyols diet versus general dietary advice in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trialJ Gastroenterol Hepatol.(2018 Jun)
    6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Natalia Pedersen, Nynne Nyboe Andersen, Zsuzsanna Végh, Lisbeth Jensen, Dorit Vedel Ankersen, Maria Felding, Mette Hestetun Simonsen, Johan Burisch, Pia MunkholmEhealth: low FODMAP diet vs Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in irritable bowel syndromeWorld J Gastroenterol.(2014 Nov 21)
    7. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Emma P Halmos, Victoria A Power, Susan J Shepherd, Peter R Gibson, Jane G MuirA diet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndromeGastroenterology.(2014 Jan)
    8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Lena Böhn, Stine Störsrud, Therese Liljebo, Lena Collin, Perjohan Lindfors, Hans Törnblom, Magnus SimrénDiet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well as traditional dietary advice: a randomized controlled trialGastroenterology.(2015 Nov)
    9. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Bridgette Wilson, Megan Rossi, Tokuwa Kanno, Gareth C Parkes, Simon Anderson, A James Mason, Peter M Irving, Miranda C Lomer, Kevin Whelanβ-Galactooligosaccharide in Conjunction With Low FODMAP Diet Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms but Reduces Fecal BifidobacteriaAm J Gastroenterol.(2020 Jun)
    10. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Ruth M Harvie, Alexandra W Chisholm, Jordan E Bisanz, Jeremy P Burton, Peter Herbison, Kim Schultz, Michael SchultzLong-term irritable bowel syndrome symptom control with reintroduction of selected FODMAPsWorld J Gastroenterol.(2017 Jul 7)
    11. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Yawen Zhang, Lijun Feng, Xin Wang, Mark Fox, Liang Luo, Lijun Du, Binrui Chen, Xiaoli Chen, Huiqin He, Shuwen Zhu, Zhefang Hu, Shujie Chen, Yanqin Long, Yubin Zhu, Li Xu, Yanyong Deng, Benjamin Misselwitz, Brian M Lang, Bahtiyar Yilmaz, John J Kim, Chung Owyang, Ning DaiLow fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols diet compared with traditional dietary advice for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with analysis of clinical and microbiological factors associated with patient outcomesAm J Clin Nutr.(2021 Jun 1)
    12. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Khan Z, Muhammad SA, Amin MS, Gul AThe Efficacy of the Low-FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Cureus.(2025 Jan)
    13. Diarrhea Symptoms - Dana M Lis, Trent Stellingwerff, Cecilia M Kitic, James W Fell, Kiran D K AhujaLow FODMAP: A Preliminary Strategy to Reduce Gastrointestinal Distress in AthletesMed Sci Sports Exerc.(2018 Jan)
    14. Microbiome - Chu P, He Y, Hu F, Wang XThe effects of low FODMAP diet on gut microbiota regulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Food Sci.(2025 Mar)
    15. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Lech Y, Olesen KM, Hey H, Rask-Pedersen E, Vilien M, Ostergaard OTreatment of irritable bowel syndrome with peppermint oil. A double-blind study with a placeboUgeskr Laeger.(1988 Oct 3)
    16. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Merat S, Khalili S, Mostajabi P, Ghorbani A, Ansari R, Malekzadeh RThe effect of enteric-coated, delayed-release peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndromeDig Dis Sci.(2010 May)
    17. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Rees WD, Evans BK, Rhodes JTreating irritable bowel syndrome with peppermint oilBr Med J.(1979 Oct 6)
    18. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Cappello G, Spezzaferro M, Grossi L, Manzoli L, Marzio LPeppermint oil (Mintoil) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trialDig Liver Dis.(2007 Jun)
    19. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Liu JH, Chen GH, Yeh HZ, Huang CK, Poon SKEnteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized trialJ Gastroenterol.(1997 Dec)
    20. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Kline RM, Kline JJ, Di Palma J, Barbero GJEnteric-coated, pH-dependent peppermint oil capsules for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in childrenJ Pediatr.(2001 Jan)
    21. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Alexander C Ford, Nicholas J Talley, Brennan M R Spiegel, Amy E Foxx-Orenstein, Lawrence Schiller, Eamonn M M Quigley, and Paul MoayyediEffect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysisBritish Medical Journal.(2008-10-01)
    22. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Belcaro G, Gizzi G, Pellegrini L, Feragalli B, Cotellese R, Cacchio M, Corsi MPycnogenol® supplementation improves the control of irritable bowel syndrome symptomsPanminerva Med.(2018 Jun)
    23. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Chen KH, Zeng BY, Zeng BS, Sun CK, Cheng YS, Su KP, Wu YC, Chen TY, Lin PY, Liang CS, Hsu CW, Chu CS, Chen YW, Yeh PY, Wu MK, Tseng PT, Hsu CYThe efficacy of exogenous melatonin supplement in ameliorating irritable bowel syndrome severity: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Formos Med Assoc.(2022-Oct-15)
    24. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Hong SW, Chun J, Park S, Lee HJ, Im JP, Kim JSIs Effective and Safe in Short-term Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.J Neurogastroenterol Motil.(2018-Oct-01)
    25. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Wu Y, Li Y, Zheng Q, Li LThe Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.Nutrients.(2024 Jul 2)
    26. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - .(2024-09-04)
    27. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Qi S, Zhao M, Sun Y, Boro S, Arora B, Rastogi SImpact of vitamin D supplementation on symptom severity and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis.Adv Clin Exp Med.(2025 Jan 24)
    28. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms - Allam DMM, Ali Abdel Ghaffar H, Mostafa Elshamy A, Abdelmotaal Safa M, Mahdi Ahmad AEffect of Pilates exercises on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in women: a randomized controlled trial.Arch Physiother.(2024 Jan-Dec)
    29. Constipation Signs and Symptoms - Patel M, Schimpf MO, O'Sullivan DM, LaSala CAThe use of senna with docusate for postoperative constipation after pelvic reconstructive surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialAm J Obstet Gynecol.(2010 May)
    30. Constipation Signs and Symptoms - Shelton MGStandardized senna in the management of constipation in the puerperium: A clinical trialS Afr Med J.(1980 Jan 19)