irritable bowel syndrome

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. any combination of common disturbances of the bowel, as diarrhea or constipation, occurring with abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by psychological stress. IBS

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irritable bowel syndrome British  

noun

1. med a chronic condition of recurring abdominal pain with constipation or diarrhoea or both

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irritable bowel syndrome Scientific  

/ ĭr′ĭ-tə-bəl /

1. A gastrointestinal disorder without demonstrable organic pathology, characterized by abdominal cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and mucus in the stool.

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Example Sentences

Several Manhattan private-school parents said another key to getting extra time—and unlimited bathroom breaks—is enlisting a gastroenterologist to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

A woman says doctors mistook her endometriosis for irritable bowel syndrome, as new figures show diagnosis delays are getting longer.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Disruptions in this newly identified signaling pathway may play a role in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances, and chronic visceral pain.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

And these foods are linked to a range of chronic health issues, including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, certain types of cancer, irritable bowel syndrome and even early death.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

Humbaba had the worst case of irritable bowel syndrome known to medical science.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda