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Causes of Diarrhea: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a condition which can cause diarrhea.

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Symptoms of IBS

The exact cause of IBS is not fully understood. For some, IBS can be aggravated by stress or certain foods and can result in frequent acute diarrhea.13

IBS symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the kind of IBS.13

Some symptoms that may occur in people with IBS include:

  • Cramp-like abdominal pain

  • Fullness and bloating

  • Flatulence

  • Passing mucus as well as stools

  • Feeling like you haven’t completely emptied your system

If you think you may have IBS, see your healthcare professional for diagnosis and appropriate medication.14

3. Schiller LR, Santa Ana CA, Morawski SG, Fordtran JS. Mechanism of the antidiarrheal effect of loperamide. http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(84)80161-4/pdfOpen link in new window. Gastroenterology. 1984;86(6):1475-1480.

13. Chey WD, Kurlander J, Eswaran S. Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical review. JAMA. 2015;313(9):949-958.

14. Irritable bowel syndrome. Mayo Clinic Web site. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/b...Open link in new window. July 31, 2014. Accessed November 13, 2015.

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