Do I Have IBS? Here’s How to Tell If Your Gut’s Telling You Something

ByBob Burns

Updated April 02, 2025

What Is IBS, Really?

IBS is short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It’s a chronic disorder that messes with the way your gut functions—especially the large intestine. Unlike other conditions like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, IBS doesn’t cause visible damage to your digestive tract, which is partly why it’s harder to diagnose. But the symptoms? Oh, they’re very real.

People with IBS deal with a combo of:

• Bloating (you know, the “five-months-pregnant” feeling)
• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Diarrhea, constipation, or both
• Gas, gurgling noises, or sudden urgency
• A general feeling that your stomach just isn’t right

Just how common is it?

You’re not alone if you’ve wondered whether you might have IBS. According to the National Institutes of Health, IBS affects around 12% of people in the United States, which translates to more than 30 million individuals—and that’s just the folks who get diagnosed (NIDDK).

Globally, the numbers are even more striking. Research published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology estimates the worldwide prevalence of IBS to be about 10–15%, though in some regions it’s much higher. Many people don’t even seek treatment—either because they’ve normalized the symptoms or are just too embarrassed to talk about them.

What Causes IBS?

If you were hoping for a nice, clean answer—sorry. Doctors still don’t know exactly what causes IBS. It’s likely a combo of things, like:

• Gut-brain miscommunication: Your gut and brain are in constant contact. When that link goes haywire, your digestive system might overreact to even normal things like gas or food movement.
• Stress and anxiety: Not the cause of IBS, but definitely a trigger. In fact, one study from UNC-Chapel Hill found that more than 60% of people with IBS also experience anxiety or depression (UNC School of Medicine).
• Food sensitivities: Certain foods—like dairy, gluten, high-FODMAPs—can make symptoms worse.
• Infections or antibiotics: About 1 in 9 people develop post-infectious IBS after a bad stomach virus or food poisoning episode, according to the CDC.
• Hormones: IBS is more common in women, and symptoms often sync up with menstrual cycles. In fact, women are about twice as likely to have IBS compared to men.

So… Do You Have IBS?

Here’s where things get a little personal. There’s no single test for IBS. Doctors usually diagnose it by ruling out other things and using what’s called the Rome IV criteria (a fancy way of saying “you’ve had symptoms at least once a week for 3 months, and they’re not explained by anything else”).

Ask yourself:

• Do you have abdominal pain at least once a week, tied to going to the bathroom?
• Does your pain get better or worse after a bowel movement?
• Have you noticed changes in how often you poop or what it looks like?
• Have these symptoms stuck around for 3 months or more?

If you’re nodding yes, then yeah—it could be IBS. But keep in mind, symptoms like these also show up in other conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, or even colon cancer. That’s why it’s super important to see a doctor, especially if you’ve noticed:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Rectal bleeding
• Fever
• Anemia
• Family history of colon cancer or IBD

These are red flags and deserve a proper workup.

IBS Isn’t the Same for Everyone

There are actually different types of IBS, depending on what your main bathroom issue is:

• IBS-C: Constipation is your main battle
• IBS-D: Diarrhea dominates your day
• IBS-M (Mixed): You get a frustrating combo of both

IBS-M is surprisingly common—about 1 in 3 people with IBS fall into this category, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). That’s part of what makes it so hard to treat: your symptoms might swing in both directions.

What Helps (and What Doesn’t)?

There’s no magic pill for IBS, but you’ve got options. The most effective plan usually includes a mix of:

• Diet tweaks: About 3 in 4 people with IBS notice improvement with a low-FODMAP diet, according to Monash University—the Australian team who developed it.
• Stress management: Think yoga, meditation, therapy, or even just setting boundaries with your calendar. Stress isn’t just in your head—it’s in your gut, too.
• Medication: Your doc might recommend antispasmodics, fiber supplements, stool softeners, or anti-diarrheals, depending on your type.
• Probiotics: Research is still evolving, but some studies suggest that specific strains—like Bifidobacterium infantis—can help ease IBS symptoms.
• Exercise: Even moderate physical activity, like brisk walking, has been shown to improve digestion and reduce stress-related flares.

What Probably Won’t Help

• Going gluten-free just for fun (unless you actually have gluten sensitivity)
• Bouncing between laxatives and anti-diarrheals without guidance
• Ignoring symptoms or toughing it out—chronic discomfort doesn’t have to be your normal
  

Real Talk: Living with IBS

IBS isn’t deadly, but it is disruptive. It affects work, travel, relationships, even your social life. One survey from the American Gastroenterological Association found that more than half of IBS sufferers feel like the condition limits their daily lives, especially in terms of spontaneity and planning.

The encouraging part? With the right care—and a good understanding of what triggers you—you can absolutely live well with IBS. But it all starts with getting real about your symptoms and talking to someone about it.

The NIH has a super useful IBS treatment guide here:
NIDDK IBS Treatment Guide

A Final Thought

IBS can feel like a riddle your body keeps throwing at you—but you’re not imagining it, and you’re definitely not alone. If you’ve been having weird stomach episodes for a while now, don’t write them off. Whether it’s IBS or something else, figuring out what’s going on is the first step to feeling better.

Sources:

• NIDDK – IBS Overview
• National Library of Medicine – CBT for IBS
• CDC – Post-Infectious IBS
• Monash University – Low FODMAP Diet