Why Do People Get IBS?
No one knows exactly what causes IBS, although it tends to run in families. A prior infectious illness (such as gastroenteritis) may increase a person’s risk of developing IBS. Exposure to a bacterial or viral infection can cause inflammation that can alter function of the gastrointestinal system. Stress can also play a part in IBS. Stress can accelerate your colon and slow your stomach. Stressful feelings also can be a trigger for IBS. Foods can also be a trigger, but this is hard to predict. For example, a high-fat diet may bother some, while an extremely low-fat diet may cause diarrhea in others. Eating big meals and spicy foods often cause problems, as do caffeinated drinks (coffee or soda), alcohol, milk and milk products, and grains like wheat, barley, or rye. Some of these foods are linked to other digestive conditions like lactose intolerance or celiac disease, though, so it’s important to see a doctor if you think a particular food is causing digestive problems. Certain medica
