Irritable bowel syndrome can manifest in a variety of ways. Its onset is usually signalled by abdominal pain, urgency to visit a toilet, bloating and sometimes back pain, belching and nausea.
You may find certain foods, situations, events and meetings are really difficult. You probably find yourself scanning for toilets when you are in a new place.
Sometimes when the cramps get bad it is really difficult to concentrate. When you are bloated you feel self conscious and don’t feel like being around other people.
IBS can range from a mildly uncomfortable condition that appears occasionally to a chronic condition that begins to interfere with many of life's pleasures.