Whats the Difference Between Constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort or pain, and a change in stool frequency or consistency. There is chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both in alternation. People with IBS may have symptoms that overlap with functional constipation. However, persons with functional constipation may not have the abdominal pain of IBS. Also, they would not have intervals of normal bowel habit and diarrhea with loose stools that can occur in IBS. For more information about IBS, visit IFFGD’s web site at www.aboutIBS.org.
