Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
Logo for WebMD
  • Check Your Symptoms
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Dentist
  • Health
    A-Z
    Health A-Z
    Health A-Z
    Common Conditions
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Cancer
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • Lung Disease
    • Orthopedics
    • Pain Management
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • View All
    Resources
    • Symptom Checker
    • WebMD Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Newsletters
    • WebMD Magazine
    • Best Hospitals
    • Find a Doctor
    • Surgeries and Procedures A-Z
    • Featured Topics
    • man on sofa sick with flu Slideshow Signs You Have Already Had COVID
    • photo of migraine Slideshow Get Help for Migraine Relief
  • Drugs &
    Supplements
    Drugs & Supplements
    Drugs & Supplements
    Find & Review
    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    Drug Basics & Safety
    • Commonly Abused Drugs
    • Taking Meds When Pregnant
    Tools
    • Manage Your Medications
    • Pill Identifier
    • Check for Interactions
    • Drug Comparison Tool
    • Featured Topics
    • assorted vitamins Slideshow Vitamins You Need as You Age
    • photo of vaccine Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Living
    Healthy
    Living Healthy
    Living Healthy
    Diet, Food & Fitness
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Weight Loss & Obesity
    • Food & Recipes
    • Fitness & Exercise
    Beauty & Balance
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Health & Balance
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Oral Care
    Living Well
    • Women's Health
    • Men's Health
    • Aging Well
    • Healthy Sleep
    • Healthy Teens
    • Featured Topics
    • grocery cart Article Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes
    • walking sneakers Quiz Do You Know the Benefits of Walking?
  • Family &
    Pregnancy
    Family & Pregnancy
    Family & Pregnancy
    All About Pregnancy
    • Getting Pregnant
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • View All
    Parenting Guide
    • Newborn & Baby
    • Children's Health
    • Children's Vaccines
    • View All
    Pet Care Essentials
    • Healthy Cats
    • Healthy Dogs
    • View All
    • Featured Topics
    • apple slices and peanut butter Slideshow Smart Snacks When You're Pregnant
    • photo of dogs kissing Slideshow Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats
  • News &
    Experts
    News & Experts
    News & Experts
    Health News
    • Pets May Actually Help Fight Allergies
    • Mediterranean, Low-Fat Diets Are Best for Heart Problems
    • Least Amount of Exercise You Need to Stay Healthy
    • Nerve 'Pulse' Therapy May Help Ease Sciatica
    • Who Is Most Likely to Get Long COVID?
    Experts & Community
    • Support Groups
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • News Center
    • New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk
    • Featured Topics
    • photo of woman having heart trouble illustration WebMD Editorial Special MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didn’t See Coming
    • photo of person typing Get Our Newsletters Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox
  • Mobile Apps
  • Subscriptions
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • My Profile
    • My Tools
    • My WebMD Pages
    • My Account
    • Sign Out

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Health Home

    • News
    • Reference
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • Medications
    • Find a Gastroenterologist

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Guide

    • Overview
    • Symptoms & Types
    • Diagnosis & Treatment
    • Living & Managing

    Related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    • Constipation
    • Constipation Treatments
    • Diarrhea
    • Diet for IBS-C
    • Diet for IBS-D
    • Drug Interaction Checker
    • IBS Medications
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Guide

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Guide

    It’s not life-threatening, but irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be painful and disrupt your life. Dealing with the constipation, diarrhea, and cramps can be life altering. But there’s no reason to suffer with it. We’ll help you understand IBS, figure out what’s triggering your symptoms -- and get it under control.  

    1. Overview

      1. What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
      2. What Causes IBS?
      3. Possible Risk Factors for IBS
      4. Hormones and IBS: Is There a Link?
      5. What's the Difference Between IBS and IBD?
    2. Symptoms & Types

      1. What Are the Symptoms of IBS?
      2. The 3 Types of IBS
      3. IBS With Diarrhea
    3. Diagnosis & Treatment

      1. IBS vs. Lactose Intolerance
      2. What to Ask Your Doctor
      3. Help for IBS
      4. Treating IBS With Diarrhea
      5. Treating IBS With Constipation
      6. Current Medication Options
      7. Behavioral Therapy for IBS
      8. Alternative Treatments for IBS
      9. When to Call Your Doctor About IBS
    4. Living & Managing

      1. IBS Coping Tips
      2. Avoiding IBS Triggers
      3. What Is a Low-FODMAP Diet?
      4. A Diet for IBS With Diarrhea
      5. IBS and Other Health Problems
      6. IBS, Stress, and Anxiety
      7. IBS and Depression
      8. Living With IBS at Work
      9. IBS Symptom Journal

    Top Picks

    • Stress and Digestive Problems
    • Quiz: Assess Your IBS Symptoms
    • Treating IBS With Diarrhea
    • Treating IBS With Constipation
    • Avoiding IBD Flares
    • Constipation Myths and Facts

    Today on WebMD

    filling glass of water from faucet

    IBS Triggers

    Prevention strategies to try.

    stomach ache

    All About IBS

    From symptoms to treatments.

    tummy

    IBS and Diarrhea

    Causes, symptoms, and treatments.

    worried mature woman

    Stress and IBS

    Are they related?

    Recommended for You

    IBS Trigger Foods Video

    IBS Trigger Foods

    Supplements for IBS What Works Article

    Supplements for IBS: What Works?

    IBS Symptoms Quiz Quiz

    Check IBS Symptoms

    digestive health Slideshow

    16 Tips for Better Digestion

    gluten free diet Slideshow

    Tips for a Gluten-Free Diet

    digestive myths Slideshow

    7 Years to Digest Gum & Other Myths

    what causes diarrhea Video

    What Causes Diarrhea?

    man with abdominal pain Article

    IBS or Lactose Intolerance?

    Tools & Resources

    • Low-Residue Diets
    • Medications You Can Take for IBS
    • IBS and Depression
    • Diarrhea: Foods to Avoid
    • Controlling IBS With Food
    • Treating IBS and Diarrhea

    Health Solutions

    • Penis Curved When Erect?
    • Could I have CAD?
    • Treat Bent Fingers
    • Treat HR+, HER2- MBC
    • Tired of Dandruff?
    • Benefits of CBD
    • Rethink MS Treatment
    • AFib-Related Strokes
    • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
    • Is My Penis Normal?
    • Relapsing MS Options
    • Liver Transplants Save Lives
    • Finance Plastic Surgery
    • Bent Finger Causes
    • Living With Psoriasis?
    • Missing Teeth?

    More from WebMD

    • 5 Tips to Help With Relapsing MS
    • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
    • Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles
    • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
    • What Psoriasis Feels Like
    • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
    • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
    • Crohn's: A 'Full-Body' Disease
    • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
    • Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
    • Live Better With Psoriatic Disease
    • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
    • 5 Health Benefits of Hemp
    • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
    • Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
    • Where Breast Cancer Spreads
    • Logo for WebMD
      • Visit WebMD on Facebook
      • Visit WebMD on Twitter
      • Visit WebMD on Pinterest
    • Policies

      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Editorial Policy
      • Advertising Policy
      • Correction Policy
      • Terms of Use

      About

      • Contact Us
      • About WebMD
      • Careers
      • Newsletter
      • Corporate
      • WebMD Health Services
      • Site Map
      • Accessibility
    • Our Apps

      • WebMD Mobile
      • WebMD App
      • Pregnancy
      • Baby
      • Allergy
    • For Advertisers

      • Advertise with Us
      • Advertising Policy

    © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.

    WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    See additional information.