Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)is a highly variable condition that causes symptoms in the digestive system.
People may report abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, and bloating.
IBS is a chronic condition that is often lifelong and has periods of flare-ups of symptoms.
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One form, post-infectious IBS, develops after a gut infection and may get better over time.
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Can IBS Go Away on Its Own?
IBS is generally considered a lifelong condition.
However, theres not a lot of data on how it affects a person over their lifetime.
Symptoms do tend to come and go for many people.
A time of active symptoms may be called aflare-up.
In the first year or two of being diagnosed, IBS tends to affect people pretty consistently.
Flare-ups occur about four times a month.
People have symptoms about half of the time, and long flare-ups seem to last about five days.
Ten years later, symptoms of IBS continue to affect between 50% and 70% of those diagnosed.
Is There a Cure for IBS?
IBS is not generally thought of as a condition that is curable.
Its usually thought of as a cluster of symptoms that is managed through various types oftreatments.
Treatment is highly individualized.
Some people may go long periods with no symptoms.
IBS tends to be diagnosed less often in older people.
What Causes IBS?
Its not understood what causes IBS.
It has many different potential causes.
An overlap of factors may start the process that leads to symptoms in any one person.
Some factors are more commonly found in people who are diagnosed with IBS.
However, the connection isnt always understood.
Early-Life Stress or Psychological Trauma
There may be a connection between IBS and stress or trauma.
Some studies have linked IBS to what are calledadverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Examples of ACEs include abuse, neglect, or exposure to substance abuse.
IBS has also been linked to trauma frommilitary conflict.
This imbalance could start early in life.
Or it could happen after an event like an infection or treatment with antibiotics.
Nervous System Issues
Its thought that changes in thenervous systemcould also affect the development of IBS.
The nervous system can be affected by many different stressors, anything from diet to smoking.
This is why medications that slow down the muscles in the digestive system are sometimes used to treat IBS.
Severe Infection
Infections have been connected to later developing IBS.
This might be calledpostinfectious IBS.
For some people, IBS starts after havinggastroenteritis(the stomach flu).
These contagious infections can cause many symptoms, such as vomiting,diarrhea, andabdominal pain.
A bout of gastroenteritis is usually sparked by one of a number of different bacteria or viruses.
But sometimes, people are infected with two pathogens at once.
Research shows that an infection with two types at once is more likely to cause postinfectious IBS.
Most people who have a gastrointestinal infection do not develop IBS.
Antibiotics may kill various types of bacteria in the digestive system.
As many as 30% of people with IBS may also have SIBO.
SIBO can cause symptoms similar to those of IBS, such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
SIBO usually is treated with the antibiotic rifaximin.
This medication is effective in reducing symptoms in as many as 80% of people.
How Long Does IBS Pain Last?
Pain is the most common symptom that sends people to a healthcare provider for treatment.
How bothersome it is and how severe it feels is highly individualized.
Around 25% of those people say the pain is constant.
How Long Does an IBS Flare-Up Last?
IBS symptoms can come and go.
Most people will try several different types of strategies before finding the right combination that works for them.
Some of the ways to prevent symptoms are:
Summary
IBS is usually a lifelong condition.
Everyone will have a different experience of IBS.
Many people will have long periods without symptoms.
Others will have symptoms that come and go or are continuous.
Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management.
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National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.
Kinsinger SW.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome: current insights.Psychol Res Behav Manag.
