IBS News Articles and Research Results

IBS Days 2026: from pathophysiology to microbiome modulation Gut Microbiota for Health The fifth edition of IBS Days delved into the latest developments in IBS research and clinical management. This article aims to explore causes that can be misdiagnosed as IBS and non-pharmacological strategies targeting gut barrier and gut microbiome dysfunction. From 15 to 17 June 2026, Gut Microbiota for Health attended IBS Days in Bologna, Italy, which celebrated its 10th anniversary. Sessions at the conference cross-cut basic, translational, and clinical science in IBS, including epidemiology, genetic influences, gut microbiota, immune pathways, dietary and infectious triggers, bio…

Dietary Intake and Quality in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: American Journal of Gastroenterology Lippincott Home INTRODUCTION:Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often attribute the onset or worsening of gastrointestinal symptoms to intake of food. Hence, to alleviate symptoms, patients with IBS may avoid triggering foods, potentially impacting their dietary intake and diet quality. This study aimed to compare the habitual diet intake and quality of patients with IBS with controls and to explore the association between dietary habits and symptoms in patients with IBS. METHODS:Patients with IBS were included in 4 clinical studies reporting habitual dietary intakes at…

Pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndromeYasmin Nasser PhD a , Andrea Shin MD b , Prof Alexander C Ford MD c d, Prof Michael Camilleri MD e, Dr Christopher J Black PhD c d https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(26)00148-2 Full text access SummaryDespite the continued absence of a definitive biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), research over the last three decades has identified a wide range of underlying pathophysiological abnormalities. Peripheral mechanisms include gastrointestinal infection, changes in the gut microbiome, visceral hypersensitivity, increased intestinal permeability, low-grade mucosal inflammation and altered immune function, abnormal gastrointes…

The Rome V criteria for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome in secondary care: a diagnostic accuracy study The Lancet BackgroundThe Rome V criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were proposed in May, 2026. Their performance for the diagnosis of IBS in clinical practice is as yet unknown. We aimed to conduct a diagnostic accuracy study to examine this issue. MethodsThis diagnostic accuracy study was conducted in the specialist IBS clinic in Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Leeds, UK. Consecutive adults aged 16 years and older who were referred with suspected IBS between Sept 22, 2016, and June 18, 2024, provided complete symptom data. We …

Gastroenterology. 2026 May 25:S0016-5085(26)06931-3. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2026.05.013. AbstractBackground & AimsA substantial proportion of persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in remission continue to experience abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and bloating that resemble irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Lack of standardized definitions and evidence-based management strategies leads to diagnostic ambiguity and potentially unnecessary escalation of IBD therapy. A joint Rome Foundation/International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Working Team developed consensus recommendations on nomenclature, evaluation, and treatment of IBD wit…

Chronic Constipation in Adults American Academy of Family Physicians | AAFP Chronic constipation has significant quality-of-life implications. Modifiable risk factors include insufficient physical activity, depression, decreased caloric intake, and aggravating medication use. Chronic constipation is classified as primary (normal transit, slow transit, defecatory disorders, or a combination) or secondary (due to medications, chronic diseases, or anatomic abnormalities). Evaluation begins with a detailed history, medication reconciliation, and physical examination. Routine use of laboratory studies or imaging, including colonoscopy, is not recommended in the absence of ala…

IBS awareness matters - and so does restroom access | ThroneWritten by: Taylor Hatmaker At Throne, we believe that everyone deserves access to clean, convenient bathrooms. We want to put better bathrooms everywhere – but we also want to talk about why it’s important. To expand restroom access, we need to get comfortable with talking about why restroom access matters and who is impacted when public restrooms are scarce. For people living with IBS and other GI disorders, knowing where to find a clean, reliable bathroom can be the difference between having the freedom to live your life or being stuck at home. The month of April is IBS Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect …

Gastroenterology. 2026 May;170(6):1083-1098. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2026.02.014. ABSTRACT Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms related to any combination of motility disturbance, visceral hypersensitivity, altered mci function, altered gut microbiota, or altered central nervous system processing. Research on and clinical management of DGBI is based on selective diagnostic criteria, generated through the Rome Foundation. The Rome V process generated a broad overview of the knowledge accumulated since Rome IV was published 10 years ago, with a focus on evidence-based adjustments. It builds on (1) an update of the DGBI defin…

Association of pharmacotherapy with all-cause mortality among patients with irritable bowel syndrome - NatureSepideh Mehravar, Yee Hui Yeo, Mark Pimentel, Parnian Naji, Wee Han Ng, Nils Burger, Will Takakura, Ali Rezaie Communications Medicine volume 6, Article number: 176 (2026) Published: 08 April 2026 AbstractBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder associated with high healthcare costs and reduced quality of life. The long-term safety of its pharmacotherapies remains unclear. This study aims to assess the association between long-term pharmacotherapies and all-cause mortality in this population. MethodWe performed a retrospective cohort study usi…

Code Brown: Let’s talk about your sh*t Corrections1 By Chief Michael A. Assad Jr., MSCJ Yeah, I said it. Let’s talk about your sh*t. Not because I want to, but because too many of us suffer in silence. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is common and frustrating. In first responder life, it’s almost a guarantee someone on shift is fighting it. We crack jokes, we power through, we live on caffeine and late-night pizza, but your gut is trying to wave the white flag. And it’s time we start listening. Our job is basically a recipe for IBS. It starts with chronic stress and the gut feels every ounce of it. Then there’s shift work, with sleep schedules destroyed and circadian rhyt…

This newfound cascade of events may explain some female gut painA study in mice hints of new avenues for treating conditions like irritable bowel syndrome Women of reproductive age are more likely than other people to report gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and can feel dismissed by doctors, as clinicians often put the pain down to diet, stress or hormones. It was never just “in their heads.” A complex interplay between an important hormone, chemical signals, rare populations of gut cellsand the output of gut bacteria could explain why, researchers report December 18 in Science. While the findings are in mice, they suggest new opportunities for treatment…

TOPLINE: Individuals who take probiotics containing Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium after colonoscopy show higher levels of beneficial bacteria and earlier improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms than those receiving a placebo. METHODOLOGY:Colonoscopy preparation with polyethylene glycol electrolyte can flush out bacteria and introduce oxygen into the normally anaerobic colon. Associated dysbiosis and postprocedure symptoms may be reduced with postcolonoscopy probiotics, but supporting evidence is limited. Researchers investigated the impact of bowel cleansing on gut microbiota and evaluated whether probiotics could restore microbiota balance and alleviate ga…

Chronic Gut Pain’s Elusive Cause Found — and Possibly Fixed - MedscapeDavid Brzostowicki November 18, 2025 People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) wake up every morning to relentless abdominal pain — the kind that makes ordinary activities feel impossible. The pain isn’t just physical; it’s isolating, invisible to others, and exhausting in its constancy. For years, scientists suspected that gut bacteria played a role in this suffering, but the connection seemed frustratingly vague — more correlation than cause. Nigel Bunnett, PhD Now, two research teams working 3000 miles apart have made a discovery that could offer new hope for ef…

Pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic innovations, and multimodal therapeutic strategies for slow transit constipation BMC Gastroenterology BackgroundSlow transit constipation (STC), a subtype of functional constipation characterized by delayed colonic transit (> 72 h), imposes substantial physical and psychological burdens. AimsThis review synthesizes current evidence on STC epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic innovations, and multimodal management. MethodsA literature review was conducted using PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for all articles and trials with the following search terms: "Slow transit constipation" OR "Chronic const…

IBS in America: Despite advances, IBS remains a burden for many millions Bethesda, MD (Aug. 7, 2025) – Despite social media helping to increase awareness of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among the public (81% of health care providers agree) and advancements in treatment over the past decade, IBS symptoms continue to significantly impact patients’ daily lives and productivity, according to a new survey released by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), in partnership with The Harris Poll, a Stagwell (STGW) agency. The AGA IBS in America survey reveals compelling new insights that explore shifts in patient experiences, health care provider per…

Sentiment analysis and topic modeling of social media data to explore public discourse on irritable bowel syndrome - Scientific Reports Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting 10–15% of the global population, characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. This study aimed to analyze IBS-related discussions on X.com using sentiment analysis and topic modeling to understand patient experiences, concerns, and information needs from 2006 to 2024. A mixed-methods analysis of 12,345 IBS-related posts from X.com was conducted, collecting data using focused search terms (‘IBS’, ‘irritable bowel syndrome’, ‘#ibs…

TOPLINE: Caffeine intake has a U-shaped relationship with chronic constipation, with intakes < 204 mg/d having a laxative effect, whereas higher intake increases risks. However, this does not apply to adults aged 60 years or older, among whom high caffeine intake is linked to a reduced risk for chronic constipation. METHODOLOGY: Researchers explored the association between caffeine intake and bowel habits and the risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected between 2005 and 2010. They included 12,759 participants (10,785 with normal bowel function, 988 with chronic diarrhea, and …

This article is intended for a healthcare professionals; however, I think their may be some insight that patients with IBS might appreciate. The Antidote to Medical Gaslighting: Validating Patients’ Concerns Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW July 15, 2025 Melissa Geraghty, PsyD, a clinical health psychologist at the US Department of Defense, developed unexplained episodes of lower body paralysis at the age of 34. “I was told [by healthcare professionals] that it was ‘just anxiety.’ Throughout my life, I had been experiencing chronic pain and other odd symptoms but was told they were ‘all in my head,’” she said in an interview with M…

Understanding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - UHN Foundation Dr. Colleen Parker, Staff Gastroenterologist at the Driscoll Family Digestive Health Centre. (Photo: Dr. Colleen Parker) What is IBS? IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal condition. It is associated with symptoms including intermittent abdominal pain that is associated with alterations in bowel habits. This can take the form of constipation or diarrhea, or alternating between the two. “Typically once it begins, there is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome,” says Dr. Colleen Parker, Staff Gastroenterologist at the Driscoll Family Digestive Health Centre. “It tends to be chronic and lifelo…

The effect of low-FODMAP diet on patients with irritable bowel syndrome Nature Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that causes abdominal pain associated with alteration of bowel habits. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of low Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, Polyols (FODMAP) diet intervention in adult patients with mild and severe symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study involved a low-FODMAP dietary intervention program that included anthropometric measurements (height and weight). A total of 45 randomly selected adult IBS patients were recruited from the famil…

A registered dietitian’s perspective on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) UHN Foundation Laura Bushey, Clinical Registered Dietitian in the Driscoll Family Digestive Health Centre at UHN. (Photo: courtesy of Laura Bushey) Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects many Canadians. We previously talked to Dr. Colleen Parker about what IBS is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what UHN is doing for people with IBS. Today, Laura Bushey, Clinical Registered Dietitian in the Driscoll Family Digestive Health Centre at UHN, discusses the link between IBS, diet and other lifestyle factors, and how dietitian support people with IBS in managing their symptoms. How …

The Missing Link in IBS Management: Your Gut-Brain Connection Written by: Dr. Rachael Lovink If you’ve been hyper-focused on food as the main cause of your IBS symptoms but still feel stuck with flare-ups, bloating, or unpredictable bowels—you’re not alone. One of the most overlooked drivers of IBS is the gut-brain connection. IBS isn’t just a “gut issue”—it’s a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction, which means how your brain and digestive system communicate plays a huge role in your symptoms. Stress, anxiety, poor sleep, and even how rushed you feel during meals can impact your digestion just as much (if not more) than what you eat. When we ignore this connec…

The Role of Visceral Hypersensitivity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Pharmacological Targets and Novel Treatments Mohammad H Farzaei1,2, Roodabeh Bahramsoltani3, Mohammad Abdollahi3,4,*, and Roja Rahimi5,* 1Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, 2Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, 3Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, 4Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Scien…

Abstract—This letter introduces the concept that abdominal muscles play a vital role in digestion. They actively control the food flow between sequential intestinal processes, and importantly, they create and maintain a high-pressure environment, crucial for proper digestion. Our ability to consciously control those same muscles for body movements, also gives us the ability to intervene, alter and in some cases disrupt one or more of the automated, muscle controlled digestive processes. The results of such a change are today diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS. The only evidence supporting the proposed mechanism, besides its simplicity and its ability to fit and e…

Nine guideline-based best practices for IBS To help ensure consistent, high-quality care, we’ve published our first set of quality indicators for IBS. The AGA Quality Committee, in collaboration with the Rome Foundation, has released quality indicators for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), published in the March issue of Gastroenterology. After reviewing national and international society guidelines and consensus statements on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS, the committee developed nine quality indicators. These are evidence-based best practices to guide your patient care. Quality indicators for IBS eva…