What is IBS? (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

A simple explainer video about 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome' or IBS, a common condition that affects the digestive system. We explain the symptoms, possible triggers, how it is diagnosed, and ways it can be managed. We hope this video will be helpful to you and those you care about.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro and symptoms
0:38 Causes and triggers for IBS
1:43 Diagnosis
2:14 Treatment
3:19 Living with IBS

ABOUT US: HealthSketch is a project to convey health information in visually engaging ways, empowering us all to lead healthier lives. For more information, visit:
Script: Dr Wikum Jayatunga, Dr Samantha Chandrasekera

REFERENCES:

ABOUT US: HealthSketch is a project to convey health information in visually engaging ways, empowering us all to lead healthier lives. For more information, visit:

NOTE: All content, including graphics, audio, text, and links, is for information and education purposes only. This video should not be considered a substitute for professional medical care, so if you have further questions or concerns, please consult a medical professional.

[jennamaria]

I don’t think anyone will fully understand how much it effects ur life until they’ve had it. I wake up dreading the day already sometimes. It’s always at school, probably bc I have the fear of my stomach acting up at school so that all I can think of, causing me more anxiety. I really don’t remember a time where I didn’t have this fear or a day my stomach didn’t act out. However, throughout the day it gets better. It’s even harder for me at school bc I have a fear of getting up to go to the bathroom during class so I just anxiously sit in my chair til times out and it’s funny bc as soon as class is over I no longer really have to go. Somethings that has helped me is tums, mostly bc Carrying it gives me comfort, essential oils, especially the ones where u can roll it on ur skin, I put a little on my nose so I can smell it during school which calms me, and breathing exercises. I Honeslty believe for me, if I can get my anxiety under somewhat control I will feel much better! We got this guys!❤️

[BrassN]

75% of the time I eat meals I end up getting stomach cramps, diarrhea about 4 times a day and gas and it hurts like hell.

[KoraBug]

My IBS really effects my life and my work. I hate how random it is

[bbeyzacelebii]

now i am 19 and i lived my life with ibs not knowing, thank god now i understand why i am like this

[johndavis]

I started taking probiotics more regularly and this has helped greatly. Gut health is important. Less red meat and processed foods will help too

[carljohnsoncj]

Was diagnosed at 12. I’m now 20 and this condition ruined my teenage hood and now it’s ruining my adult hood.

[hazelnotty]

Literally feels like I have a constant stomachache every time I eat. Can’t eat at least 4-5 hours before sleeping. Feels gassy all the time.

[Hi-lbcq]

I get panic attacks too.... then have to use the restroom...I feel like I'm going to pass out and my heart beats quickly

[SiahNLuv]

I truly believe stress and anxiety is the cause of ibs

[mariask]

I have IBS and anxiety... Man I had a really good progress but after an 1, 5 year of quarantine just destroyed everything I built...
We will make through this guys 🙏 sending everyone my positive energy 🌼

[snakemeth]

Yea its really heart breaking that most of us are so young

[zoobygirl]

I know for a fact that the only thing that flares up my symptoms is STRESS.. My IBS is constipation dominant, , and the only time I get bad is during my exams.. Abd once I'm done with exams everything goes back to normal within 24 hours or so.. All the constipation the bloating the abdominal cramps the nausea.. All gone.. And even though I hate myself during these episodes.. I find it fascinating how our mental health affects our bodies so much.. Thank you for the amazing video..

[shasha]

I recently got diagnosed with IBS
It sucksss!!!!
I'm only 17😭😭😭
Sending prayers to all my ibs friends out there!😭💗

[vixentrianly]

it is so relieving and refreshing finally finding out what these pains/pressure I've been having for years on end. For me, this has been so random and so unpredictable in most aspects but there are a few constants. I have been to multiple doctors, been blood tested multiple times (for chrons disease), changed my diet more times than I can remember, massaging the area deeply (only made it so much worse and it spread) tried multiple painkillers, and nothing NOTHING has ever worked.
The symptoms I've been having are excessive gas, bloating, pain in my lower left abdomen that feels like pressure building to the point of pain, and constipation. This has always been something that gradually crept up on me, something I've been dealing with for years and never quite seemed to figure out the source of. But one thing I knew for certain was that my anxiety was most likely at the center of it.
Ever since middle school, (and flare-ups like these would mostly ever only happen at school), I would 1st experience the excess gas then pressure building in my lower left abdomen then the pain and uncomfortableness that would build. These situations can be deeply unsettling and embarrassing especially for young developing girls who want to fit in and who want to feel attractive. This syndrome is so much more than just pain especially when it begins to affect your day-to-day life, especially your mental health. It's only in recent years that I've really started to take action to put an end to it.
For as long as I can recall back, I've always dealt with social anxiety in school no matter what I did. Especially when put in social situations/situations where I'd have to interact with others.
I always did know in the back of my mind that these pains had some type of direct link to my stress/anxiety levels, but I'd always write it off as something entirely separate because it'd never occurred to me that they could be connected.
Now, I've tried almost every solution I could think of, and I can only hope that trying anxiety medication might help a bit since it's such a trigger. However, I do try to stray away from medications since I wouldn't want to be so dependent on them for however long in the future.

Whoever else is going through this, please know you are not alone and that I do see you. I had yet to meet anyone with a remotely even similar problem before this video, and I can't even express how happy it's made me to finally figure out why this has been happening to me for so many years after going through doctor after doctor to find out. You are seen, and you can and will work through this <3.

[rsls]

I’m hosting a family friend with IBS who is from the UK. Watching this is helpful for meal preparation and overall stay

[mealychhun]

I have IBS, Gluten Sensitive, lactose intolerant and Mental illness 😰 Bipolar
I got the whole package🤦🏼‍♀️
and treatment in here for these problems is not it’s hard ....

[can_ner]

Me actually having a good time

Also me: *eats a tiny bite of ice cream*

IBS: *HEY THERE*

[thakurvijaythakur]

I have been having IBS for more than a year now, I really think I have figured it out. In my case, stress and anxiety is the main case, whenever I have an exam or test at school, or I'm getting late somewhere, my stomach starts hurting, it slowly calms down on its own. Sometimes coffee and rarely lactose intake cam trigger it, but I'm pretty sure stress is the main reason. I have had early life stressful event which I assume have led me to this. But now I know what it is and that makes it easier for me. Good luck everyone.

[boromickfc]

The things she suggested to manage IBS are easier said then done. It’s hard to do anything when you can’t get off the toilet or can’t leave the house due to the severity of the cramps.

[Naduhlee]

I was never diagnosed with ibs and I don’t like self diagnosing myself but after having to live 9 years with these symptoms, I’m pretty dam sure it’s what I think it is.
I remember telling my mom that I was scared to go to school. I was 12 at the time. I’d look out the window as we made our way there and I’d feel like my world was crashing in. A lot of the times my mom would let me walk to school so I would just cry on the way there. The intense anxiety before going anywhere is frightening to the point that I think of ways to escape if I were to have a flare up. It’s either my anxiety that causes the flare ups or the need to use the restroom or pass gas that triggers my anxiety.
Of course, being overly gassy isn’t the only symptom. I don’t usually get that pain that everybody is talking about but when I do, I feel like I’m being cut open from the inside. I do get bloated tho all. the. freakin. time. Not a single day that I’m not bloated. It came to a certain point that I thought I was just extra fat in my abdomen. Also, idk about y’all but when I’m getting that pain in my stomach I can literally feel the waste in stomach move. Another thing that happens to me is that there are times after going numero dos a lot, it makes my colon feel uncomfortable, as well as my stomach. Anybody else?
My life choices are dictated by this stupid overly sensitive stomach of mine and I HATE IT. If I had three wishes, one of them would be to get rid of my ibs, and my second wish would be to get rid of ibs from this planet in general. Like why are you going to avoid becoming a—let’s say a lawyer—why are you going to avoid becoming a lawyer just because your stomach needs relief ??? It’s crazy! And I’m so freakin jealous of people who don’t have it. You have pretty hair? Pretty eyes? Pretty smile? Don’t care. The real question here is: do you have ibs? No? Well, you’ve got it all!