Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affecdts the large intestine/colon. The muscular wall of your large colon contracts in peristaltic manner in order to move the intestinal contents towards the rectum, as this contraction takes place your colon absorbs water and nutrients from partially digested foods, which pass through it. Stool & waste products are stored in the rectum, until they are expelled by the anus by the bowel movement. In IBS the muscular contractions of your colon are abnormal, in some instances they can cause food to move too quickly through your colon, not giving it enough time to absorb water from your food. This leads to watery stools & diarrohea. Alos in some cases the contractions cause the food to move too slowly in which case it causes the colon to absorb too much water from your food causing hard stools  & constipation. The colon in IBS may also be affected by stress, which other people may not be prone to, as well as abnormal pain/discomfort, bloating, gas, cramps etc.