Irritable bowel syndrome occurs more often in women than in men. The condition is believed to result from abnormal muscular activity of the intestinal wall. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are similar to that of some more serious conditions. Therefore, you are advised to consult your physician for a complete physical examination if you suspect you are experiencing irritable bowel syndrome or you notice blood in your stools.

Irritable bowel syndrome is sometimes mistaken as colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, spastic bowel, and functional bowel disease. However, most of these terms are not correct. For example, colitis is a condition in which inflammation of the colon (large intestine) occurs. However, IBS does not cause inflammation.

Different people experience different symptoms with IBS. Some people report constipation and cramps when trying to have a bowel movement. On the other hand, some people with IBS report diarrhea. They frequently feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement. Some people alter between experiencing constipation and suffering from diarrhea.

IBS is called a functional disorder, as when the colon is examined, there is no sign of a disease. IBS is believed to occur due to a number of reasons including emotional conflict or stress, infections and allergies. Stress is a factor that can worsen the IBS symptoms.

Bleeding is not a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. If a person reports bleeding, it can be due to other conditions, some of which may be life threatening, which is why it's important to see your doctor as quickly as possible.

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The most common reasons for bleeding in GI tract are related to conditions that can be successfully treated or controlled sometimes through making amendments to lifestyle and diet. However, not all causes are as benign.

Bleeding in GI tract can occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, rectum or anus. Different causes for bleeding in GI tract include esophagitis, enlarged veins, tear (Mallory-Weiss syndrome), cancer, liver disease, stomach ulcers, gastritis, duodenal ulcer, hemorrhoids, infections, ulcerative colitis, colorectal polyps, and colorectal cancer.

To treat the bleeding in the GI tract, the site of the bleeding needs to be located. Physicians generally go through the complete medical history of the patient to diagnose the problem. They normally perform physical exams and ask questions about the symptoms such as color and consistency of stool, any changes in bowel habits, and the presence of pain or tenderness. This helps them to locate the affected area of the GI tract. Physicians also test the stool for the presence of blood.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and bleeding involve different medications and procedures. To control bleeding, chemicals can be injected through an endoscope into the bleeding site if the bleeding is occurring in the upper GI tract. In special cases, laser therapy is also used. Once bleeding is controlled, physicians prescribe often medication to prevent the recurrence of bleeding. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome varies from person to person. Doctors focus on managing the stress and suggest changes in the diet. Fiber supplements, laxatives, and medicines are prescribed based on the symptoms of the patients, including anti depressants and antispasmodics.