IBS at a glance
Common and real
IBS is a recognised condition. Symptoms are real, not imagined, and often relate to gut sensitivity.
Gut–brain interaction
The digestive system and nervous system constantly talk; stress and threat signalling can amplify symptoms.
Know red flags
Some symptoms are not typical for IBS and need medical assessment.
This page is educational. If symptoms are new, worsening, or you are worried, seek personalised medical advice.
What is IBS?
IBS is a pattern of recurring digestive symptoms, usually including abdominal pain and a change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or both). Many people also experience bloating, urgency, nausea, and sensitivity to certain foods. Tests often come back “normal”, which can be confusing, but IBS is still a real and treatable pattern.
Why does IBS happen?
A sensitive gut can react strongly
Many people with IBS have heightened gut sensitivity, changes in motility (how the bowel moves), and shifts in the gut microbiome. Symptoms may flare after infections, during stressful periods, with disrupted sleep, or after repeated dieting and food fear.
The gut–brain loop can keep symptoms going
The brain and gut constantly send signals back and forth. When the nervous system is in protection mode, digestion can become more reactive, sensations can feel louder, and symptoms can become more tied to worry, hypervigilance, and “what if” loops.
Learn more in how the brain and body interact.
How long does IBS last?
IBS can be episodic, with flares and calmer periods. The goal is not perfection, but building stability: fewer flare-ups, quicker recovery when symptoms spike, and more confidence around food, movement, and daily life.
If symptoms have lasted for months or years, that does not mean you are stuck. Many people improve when they combine sensible medical care with gut–brain and nervous system approaches.
When should I worry about IBS?
Seek medical assessment if you have digestive symptoms alongside any of the following:
- Blood in your stool, black stools, or persistent rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Fever, persistent night sweats, or feeling systemically unwell
- Severe, worsening pain, especially if it wakes you at night
- New symptoms after age 50, or a strong family history of bowel disease
- Persistent vomiting or dehydration
If you are unsure, speak with a clinician. This page is educational and does not replace personalised medical advice.
What helps with IBS?
What helps most people
- Track patterns gently: notice links with stress, sleep, meals, and urgency without obsessing.
- Build regularity: consistent meals, hydration, movement, and sleep support steadier digestion.
- Reduce threat: fear of symptoms can tighten the gut–brain loop and amplify sensations.
- Targeted food changes: some people benefit from structured guidance, rather than broad restriction.
If symptoms feel stuck or overwhelming
If you are caught in flare cycles, it can help to work with the nervous system: calming threat responses, reducing hypervigilance, and rebuilding trust in your body. Many people improve with mind-body approaches alongside appropriate medical care.
Explore stress and trauma and self-guided tools and practices.
Common questions about IBS
Can stress really affect IBS?
Yes. Stress does not mean symptoms are “psychological”. It changes nervous system signalling, gut motility, sensitivity, and inflammation pathways. Reducing stress load can reduce symptom intensity and frequency.
Why are tests often normal?
IBS often involves function and sensitivity rather than structural damage. You can have very real symptoms even when scans and blood tests do not show a single clear cause.
What should I do next if I am stuck?
Aim for a plan that supports both the gut and the nervous system: steady routines, reduced threat signalling, practical symptom strategies, and the right clinical guidance. Neurowaze can help you find a practitioner who matches your situation.
Clinical note
IBS is diagnosed based on symptom patterns and clinical assessment, usually after ruling out other causes when appropriate. If you have red flag symptoms, seek medical review. This page is educational and is not a diagnosis.