If you think your child may suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, then you need to find out all you can about irritable bowel syndrome in children. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a condition that affects the digestive system. While it is not a life threatening illness, it can cause some serious discomfort and stress. Irritable bowel symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, irregular bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation), and excessive gas. If see these symptoms in your child and want to know more about IBS, read over these guidelines for how to recognize irritable bowel syndrome in children.

– Look for changes in the stool. As mentioned before, this can include diarrhea and/or constipation, but there are also some things to look for that are common to irritable bowel syndrome. Clear mucus in stool or stool that appears to be hard and pellet-like are signs of IBS.

– A change in bowel habits. If your child is showing strain when having a bowel movement, or shows an exaggerated sense of urgency when it is time to pass a bowel movement, this could be signs of irritable bowel syndrome in children.

– The sense of incomplete bowel movements. If you notice your child never seems to feel that he or she is finished passing a bowel movement, IBS may be to blame.

– Diarrhea in babies may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome.

– Intestinal bloating. Your little one’s abdominal area may be bloated and tender to the touch.

– Abdominal pain and discomfort that doesn’t seem to go away.

If your child suffers from these symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in children, it is advisable to get to the family physician as soon as possible for treatment. Your doctor will be able to properly diagnose the condition and, if it is irritable bowel syndrome, put your child on a suitable irritable bowel syndrome diet right away.