Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome a Disease?

Myths about Digestive Disorders

Researchers have only recently begun to understand the many, often complex diseases that affect the digestive system. Accordingly, people are gradually replacing folklore, old wives' tales, and rumors about the causes and treatments of digestive diseases with accurate, up-to-date information. But misunderstandings still exist, and while some folklore is harmless, some can be dangerous if it keeps a person from correctly preventing or treating an illness. Listed below is a common misconception (fallacy), about a digestive disease, followed by the facts as professionals understand them today.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Is irritable bowel syndrome a disease?

Yes!

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disease, although it is also called a functional disorder. Irritable bowel syndrome involves a problem in how the muscles in the intestines work and pain perception in the bowel.

It is characterized by:

• gas,
• abdominal pain, and
• diarrhea or constipation, or both.

Although the syndrome can cause considerable pain and discomfort, it does not damage the digestive tract as organic diseases do. Also, irritable bowel syndrome does not lead to more serious digestive diseases later, such as cancer.