Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Spastic Colitis)

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder that causes abdominal pain and cramps, changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation or both) and other symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract such as bloating and gas. The exact cause of the syndrome is not known, it can occur at any age and is more common in women. Irritable bowel syndrome is a different condition from inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), where the structure of the bowel is disturbed and the symptoms are more severe.

Causes of irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colitis) include food intolerances or other types of food reactions, hormonal imbalances, stress and the presence of certain diseases such as acute gastrointestinal episodes or small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).