IBS
Medical abbreviation · Gastroenterology
| Stands for | Irritable bowel syndrome |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
IBS stands for Irritable bowel syndrome, a gastroenterology abbreviation.
Common functional bowel disorder defined by recurrent abdominal pain linked to changes in stool frequency or form, without structural disease on testing. Under the Rome IV criteria, pain must occur on average at least one day a week over the last three months, with symptom onset at least six months before diagnosis.
Example: Rome IV criteria met; IBS with mixed bowel habits, normal colonoscopy and celiac serology, start low-FODMAP diet trial.
Usage notes
Subtypes are named by predominant stool pattern: IBS-C (constipation), IBS-D (diarrhea), IBS-M (mixed) and IBS-U (unclassified). IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interaction, not inflammation, so it should not be confused with IBD, which causes visible tissue damage. Alarm features such as rectal bleeding, weight loss, anemia or new symptoms after middle age prompt further testing. Global prevalence is roughly 4 to 10 percent depending on the criteria used, and women are affected more often than men.
Related abbreviations
More gastroenterology abbreviations
- HE – Hepatic encephalopathy
- HH – Hiatal hernia
- HIDA – Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan
- HNPCC – Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
- HRS – Hepatorenal syndrome
- IBD – Inflammatory bowel disease
- IBS-C – Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation
- IBS-D – Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea
- IPAA – Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis
- LBO – Large bowel obstruction
- LES – Lower esophageal sphincter
- LGIB – Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
See all 85 gastroenterology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.