IBS-D, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, is a disorder that affects the gut-brain interaction (Yes! Your brain and gut interact a lot!). Problems with the gut-brain interaction can make your gut more sensitive and cause different contractions or spasms. All of that can lead to symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Yes. There are 4 different kinds of IBS. Knowing what kind of IBS you have will help you and your HCP find the right treatment options.

• IBS-C: IBS with constipation
• IBS-D: IBS with diarrhea
• IBS-M: IBS with mixed symptoms, meaning more than a quarter of stools are hard and lumpy AND more than a quarter of stools are loose or watery
• IBS-U: Bowel changes cannot be placed into 1 of the other 3 groups, making it unclassified

According to some census and study data, about 5% of adults in the U.S. have IBS. About 35% of people with IBS have the IBS-D subtype. Almost 5 million adults in the U.S. are affected by IBS-D.

IBS-D can only be diagnosed by an HCP. Your HCP will determine if you have IBS-D by talking to you about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing, how long you’ve had them, how much they’ve been bothering you, and how those symptoms have impacted your life. Your HCP may also decide to run tests like a blood test or stool test to make sure you don’t have a more serious condition that requires treatment.

IBS-D can be treated in a variety of ways, but it’s best to talk to an HCP about a treatment plan that works for you and your specific needs. IBS-D can be managed with some over-the-counter medications, dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments like exercise and prescription medications. 

There is no cure for IBS-D. But, some people with IBS-D can experience relief from symptoms over time and with the right treatment plan.