Since Irritable Bowel is a syndrome, it is only likely that it is characterized with various conditions for which the exact causes of appearance are not clear. What is definite though is that each symptoms contributes to the mildness or aggravation of the disorder. And with the knowledge of the nature of each symptom, the creation of possible cures to the entire disease is possible.

Unfortunately, there is not enough information that can shed light on the mysteries concerning Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While it is observably present at large in the general population and is obviously not as hard to treat, there is still significant lack of knowledge in this field. This is true since research funding is not directed towards Irritable Bowel syndrome.

This lack is driven with the truth that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a life threatening condition, which requires no immediate cure. Moreover, the consideration given on its being a "functional disorder" adds more vague ideas as to what and how would these condition be cleared.

There are also a number of subtypes that often create the confusion and distinction between each disease. This is brought up by the combination of symptoms that are normally seen in a large portion of patients.

The top three symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are bloating, diarrhea and constipation.

These three may often manifest simultaneously. However, it is a common knowledge that diarrhea and constipation may regularly alternate which creates further confusion.

Bloating is the condition characterized by the subjective sensation of having an abnormally enlarged abdomen. Therefore, it is akin to the sensation of discomfort.

It must be understood though that while bloating is typically related with distention, the two are still very much different from one another. Distention is the physical observation that the abdomen is slightly larger than usual. This can be checked physically while bloating may only be known through careful inquiry.

The three conditions by which bloating may develop are the following: changes in the abdominal tissues, abrupt increase of both air, and fluid in the abdomen. All these three has various roots and must be distinguished properly so a to provide better treatment.

Another dominant symptom that is found in most cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is diarrhea. Sometimes this can alternate with constipation and may cause terrible to mild discomfort.

Diarrhea is the change in the frequency of the stool release. It is hard to qualify though if one is having an abnormality concerning bowel movements.

While most people practice a one-a-day bowel movement, this is still not considered normal. What is normal is the degree to which the body can tolerate the release of stool.

Say, three times bowel movements a week may be normal and the same is true three times day practice. Once these change and the body somehow reacts negatively to such changes combined with fluid-like stools, it is likely that the person already has developed diarrhea.

The following are the most typical symptoms of diarrhea:

Rectal urgency which results to incontinence of stool. This is characterized with the inability to control or delay bowel movement once the sudden urge is felt. Most patients also experience incomplete evacuation which is known to be the sensation of needing to have continuous bowel movement even if one has just finished with his first evacuation.

Meanwhile, constipation is the condition by which the stool is either too soft or too hard.

All these three symptoms contribute to the difficulty of providing treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However, since we already have knowledge on them, the difficulty of finding a cure is somehow relieved.