Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) : Reducing Your Risk

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms—including abdominal pain and changes in the pattern of bowel movements without any evidence of underlying damage. These symptoms occur over a long time, often years. It has been classified into four main types depending on if diarrhea is common, constipation is common, both are common, or neither occurs very often (IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-M, or IBS-U respectively). IBS negatively affects quality of life and may result in missed school or work. Disorders such as anxiety, major depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome, are common among people with IBS

Digestive

6 causes

Protective Factors	Studies
Minor Protective Factor Probiotics Nutrition	1 study Efficacy of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis... Study in 2008 -22% with High evidence in 41 years
Minor Protective Factor Whole grains Nutrition	1 study The Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A ... Study in 2014 -14% with High evidence
Minor Protective Factor Flaxseeds Nutrition	1 study The Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A ... Study in 2014 -11% with High evidence
Minor Protective Factor Yoghurt Nutrition	1 study Efficacy of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis... Study in 2008 -8% with Moderate evidence in 40 years
Minor Protective Factor Vegetables Nutrition	1 study The Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A ... Study in 2014 -3% with Moderate evidence
Minor Protective Factor Nuts & Peanuts Nutrition	1 study The Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A ... Study in 2014 -1% with Moderate evidence

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Risk Factors	Studies
Strong Risk Factor Small intestinal bact... Digestive system	1 study Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is associated with irritable ... Study in 2016 +464% with High evidence 897 subjects

Outcomes	References
Strong Risk Factor Small intestinal bact... Digestive system	1 study Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is associated with irritable ... Study in 2016 +529% with High evidence 897 subjects