irritable bowel syndrome

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Definition: Irritable bowel syndrome, often shortened to IBS, is a medical condition that affects the intestines. People with IBS experience repeated abdominal pain and discomfort, along with changes in their bowel habits. This can mean having diarrhea (loose stools) or constipation (hard stools), and sometimes both can occur at different times. IBS is often linked to stress and emotional difficulties.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• How to Use: You can use "irritable bowel syndrome" when talking about digestive health or discussing symptoms related to the stomach and intestines.

Example:

• "After visiting the doctor, I found out I have irritable bowel syndrome, which explains my stomach pain and frequent trips to the bathroom."

Advanced Usage:

In medical or health-related discussions, you might say: - "Management of irritable bowel syndrome often requires dietary changes and stress reduction techniques."

Word Variants:

• IBS: The abbreviation for "irritable bowel syndrome."
• Irritability: Refers to the tendency to become easily annoyed or upset, which can relate to IBS since stress can worsen the condition.

Different Meanings:

While "irritable bowel syndrome" specifically refers to a digestive health issue, the words "irritable" and "bowel" can have other meanings: - Irritable: Can describe someone who is easily annoyed or angry in general. - Bowel: Refers to the intestines or the part of the digestive system that processes food.

Synonyms:

There are no direct synonyms for "irritable bowel syndrome," but you can refer to it informally as: - "Gut issues" - "Digestive problems"

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to IBS, you might hear related expressions like: - "Feeling under the weather": This means feeling sick or unwell, which could relate to someone experiencing IBS symptoms. - "In a bind": This can refer to being in a difficult situation, which could metaphorically apply to someone dealing with the challenges of IBS.

Summary:

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that causes stomach pain and changes in bowel habits. It is important to seek medical advice if you think you might have IBS, especially if symptoms are affecting your daily life.

Academic

Noun

1. recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea (often alternating with periods of constipation); often associated with emotional stress

Synonyms

• spastic colon
• mucous colitis