Clinical features

Characteristically the person experiences exacerbations of abdominal pain and bowel symptoms. The person may become constipated with passage of hard pellet like faeces or they may experience diarrhoea, often in the mornings. Some have alternating constipation and diarrhoea, and people with diarrhoea may report urgency of defaecation. Opening the bowels or passing wind often relieves the pain. Clinical examination is usually normal; some people have mild abdominal tenderness. Exacerbations are unpredictable in onset and may last for days, weeks or months.

There may be much variation in symptoms between different people and at different times. Some experience abdominal pain only and have a normal bowel habit.

Amended April 2008