Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). IBS causes symptoms like abdominal cramping, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. While IBS itself is not dangerous, it can significantly impact quality of life. Many wonder just how severe IBS symptoms can become. Here is an overview of how severe IBS can get.
What is IBS?
IBS is classified as a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. This means that while there are no visible structural changes in the GI tract, there are issues with how the GI tract functions. In IBS, the nerves controlling the large intestine become hypersensitive. This leads to abnormal contractions and motility, causing uncomfortable symptoms.
IBS is categorized into four main subtypes:
- IBS with constipation (IBS-C) – hard, infrequent stools
- IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) – loose, frequent stools
- IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M) – alternating constipation and diarrhea
- IBS unclassified (IBS-U) – insufficient abnormality of stool consistency to meet other IBS criteria
While symptoms can vary between subtypes, some common signs of IBS include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Bloating and gas
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Mucus in the stool
- Feeling like you can’t completely empty your bowels
- Urgency and straining with bowel movements
What Causes IBS Symptoms?
The exact causes of IBS are not fully understood. Current theories suggest it results from multiple intersecting factors including:
- Brain-gut communication problems – Issues with communication between the brain and nervous system can make the bowel hypersensitive.
- Intestinal contractions – Abnormal contractions in the colon cause painful spasms and motility issues.
- Inflammation – Some research indicates low-grade inflammation may play a role in IBS.
- Microbiome imbalance – An imbalance of gut microbes is common in IBS patients.
- Food sensitivities – Certain foods like FODMAPs may trigger symptoms in some people.
- Stress and anxiety – Psychological and emotional factors can worsen GI symptoms.
- Prior infections – Some infections may produce lasting damage to the GI tract.
These diverse factors interact to produce the collection of IBS symptoms. Symptom severity can fluctuate over time, often in relation to potential triggers.
How Severe Can IBS Get?
IBS ranges in severity from mild to extremely disruptive. Mild IBS may involve subtle symptoms a few times per week. Severe IBS can completely interrupt daily life with extremely painful, urgent, and frequent symptoms.
One way severity is classified is based on how often symptoms occur:
- Mild IBS – Symptoms 1-3 days per month
- Moderate IBS – Symptoms 1-3 days per week
- Severe IBS – Symptoms 4+ days per week
However, frequency doesn’t fully capture how disruptive IBS can become. Other factors that contribute to severity include:
Pain Severity
IBS abdominal pain can range from mild achiness to recurrent agonizing cramps. In severe cases, the pain can reach a level of 8-10 on a 10-point scale.
Bowel Habit Extremes
Some people experience intense diarrhea up to 20 times per day or severe constipation lasting for days. This can mean always being near a bathroom or using laxatives/enemas.
Quality of Life Impact
At its most severe, IBS can make it difficult to work, travel, socialize, or even leave the house. Activities become centered around managing symptoms.
Psychological Distress
Coping with constant, unpredictable symptoms often leads to issues like depression, anxiety, stress, and reduced self-esteem.
Other Comorbid Conditions
Some people with severe IBS also develop comorbid conditions like gastroparesis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, etc.
As these impacts compound, IBS can become an extremely limiting, isolating, and disabling condition.
Severe IBS Symptom Flare-Ups
Even if overall IBS severity is mild or moderate, periodic symptom flares can become extreme. IBS flares feature an acute worsening of symptoms, often to an intense degree. Potential flare triggers include:
- Stress
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Traveling
- Dietary mistakes
- Medication changes
- Bacterial imbalances
- Unknown factors
During a severe flare you may experience:
- High urgency and frequency of bowel movements
- Excruciating abdominal cramping
- Extreme bloating and distention
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to function normally
- Debilitating fatigue
For some, flares need urgent medical attention at the ER for dehydration or pain control. Severe flares can last for days to weeks at a time.
Potential Complications of Severe IBS
While IBS itself does not cause permanent harm, it does increase risks of certain complications, especially when severe. Possible complications include:
Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalances
Frequent diarrhea can lead to dehydration as the body loses lots of fluids and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. This requires prompt fluid and electrolyte replacement.
Malnutrition
Severe IBS may limit the variety of foods someone can eat. Nausea and diarrhea also reduce nutrient absorption. Over time this can cause weight loss, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, and weakness.
Bowel Obstructions
With severe constipation, extremely hard stool can completely block the intestines, preventing passage of gas or stool. This requires emergency treatment.
Hemorrhoids and Fissures
Straining from constipation and diarrhea can damage blood vessels in the anus, causing painful hemorrhoids. Tears of the anal lining (fissures) are also common.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Chronic diarrhea and urgency lead some people to delay bowel movements. Holding in stool can weaken pelvic floor muscles, sometimes requiring physical therapy.
| Complication | Cause | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Dehydration and electrolyte issues | Frequent diarrhea | Fluid and electrolyte replacement |
| Malnutrition | Limited diet, diarrhea, nausea | Nutritional supplements, IV nutrition |
| Bowel obstruction | Severe constipation | Enemas, manual disimpaction, surgery |
| Hemorrhoids and anal fissures | Straining during BMs | Topical treatments, surgery |
| Pelvic floor dysfunction | Straining and holding in stool | Pelvic floor physical therapy |
When to Seek Emergency Care for IBS
Most of the time, you can manage IBS flare-ups at home. However, some severe symptoms require emergency medical care, including:
- Inability to keep down fluids – Persistent vomiting may lead to dangerous dehydration.
- Bloody diarrhea – Bright red blood could indicate an intestinal infection or tear.
- Fevers and chills – May signal an underlying infection like C. diff or diverticulitis.
- Unbearable pain – Could mean intestinal blockage requiring hospitalization.
- Confusion, rapid heart rate, fainting – Can occur with severe dehydration and electrolyte disturbance.
When experiencing concerning symptoms, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Call your doctor or go to the ER to get evaluated and receive IV fluids or pain control if needed.
Preventing Severe IBS Episodes
While you can’t totally avoid IBS flares, you can take steps to reduce their frequency and severity:
- Follow an IBS elimination diet like low FODMAP.
- Manage stress levels with relaxation techniques.
- Take medications as prescribed for diarrhea, constipation, pain, etc.
- Get enough sleep and physical activity.
- Stay hydrated and eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Discuss probiotics and supplements with your doctor.
- Avoid trigger foods and eat more soluble fiber.
- Keep a food/symptom journal to identify triggers.
Implementing lifestyle changes and working closely with your doctor can help prevent IBS symptoms from worsening in severity.
Conclusion
IBS can certainly become debilitating for some people as its impacts compound over time. Symptoms may frequenty become severe enough to require emergency care. However, with proper management you can reduce flare-ups and avoid complications. Pay attention to your unique IBS symptom patterns and triggers. With the right treatment plan tailored for your needs, it is possible to keep IBS severity at a manageable level.
