What are signs of irritable bowel syndrome?

IBS in a nutshell: Irritable bowel is a syndrome complex that spans many etiologies & contributants (see earlier healthtap answers). Often, patients complain of altered stool pattern (diarrhea, constipation, or both), abdominal pain, bloating, gassiness, fullness, distension, nausea, cramps. Symptoms seldom awaken the patient, may improve with stooling, & when uncomplicated are not accompanied by fever or bleeding.