Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease may affect the same organ, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end.

Irritable bowel syndrome — even the name of this condition conveys the unpleasant nature of its symptoms. Fortunately for most people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, small changes to their diet, nutrition and eating habits can go a long way in easing symptoms.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a gastrointestinal disorder than can be quite unpleasant. Symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, cramping and bloating may affect patients with IBS. Thankfully, as Women’s Health (a website provided by the US Department of Health and Human Service’s Office on Women’s Health) reports, IBS “does not lead to serious disease, such as cancer. It also does not permanently harm the large intestine (colon).” Though the disorder is not life threatening, these symptoms can be a source of stress for those coping with IBS. What's ...

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