Irritable Bowel is a commonly diagnosed illness found among patients visiting a Gastroenterologist. Approximately 10 to 15% of the population in the US has this disease. 

By the current medical (Rome and Manning) criteria, it is a syndrome, or a collection of symptoms, that occur for at least 12 weeks or 3 months. Although any one of any age and sex can have this medical condition, it often occurs in the younger patients and women. 

The symptoms include recurrent abdominal pain (including cramps) with alternating loose and formed stool. Some can have predominantly diarrhea or increasing loose stool. While others have mainly constipation with hard stools; There can be also a change in stool appearance and shape. Most people often experience the sensation of incomplete evacuation but cannot defecate further. Other associated symptoms included bloating, increased flatus ("passing gas" or "gaseous"), passing mucous with stool, increased number of daily bowel movements, and even with increasing reflux or belching.