Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that affects millions of Americans each day. A condition that causes abdominal pains, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or a combination of those symptoms, IBS is a disorder that is illusive in nature.

The reason that IBS is so intriguing is the fact that it has no known cause. There are theories about the causes of the disorder, but if a doctor was to examine an IBS patient's intestine, the results of that examination might shock you. The intestine would appear to be normal in every way with no apparent damage.

If this is true, what causes IBS? Finally, as technology and research evolves, more theories are developing on possible causes of IBS. In the past, many IBS patients were deemed "hypochondriacs". Was the disease really in their head?

One of the theories of the cause of IBS has to do with stress. Patients who suffer from IBS notice that their symptoms are greatly agitated when anxiety levels are the highest. This is mainly due to the fact that stress can bring on the muscle spasms that often either trap gas and fecal matter in your system or rush food through your system. The results are either constipation or diarrhea. In many cases, severe abdominal pains accompany this constipation or diarrhea.

Other possible causes have been suggested. Some of these are immune system malfunction and sensitive reactive colon. These were two of the more common theories, but many doctors are beginning to think otherwise as research continues.

It is possible that irritable bowel syndrome can be due to a large amount of bacteria in the small intestine. This could explain the change in bowel movements, gas, pain, etc. Since there are so few bacteria in your small intestine, a rapid increase in bacteria could really impact on your system.

Another possible cause of IBS is intolerance of foods. Depending on the individual, certain foods which would be harmless to the average person can cause an IBS episode. If an IBS patient can identify these "trigger" foods, they can remove those foods from the diet, cutting down the IBS symptoms. The good news is that doctors often say that, after taking a break from those foods, they can later be reincorporated into your meal plans.

The bottom line, unfortunately, is there is no known cause for IBS. Doctors have theories, and many medical professionals believe some of the above mentioned things can contribute to IBS symptoms. The truth is that the real root of IBS is a mystery. As research continues, we can hope to eventually find a definitive answer. Until then, if you are suffering from the disorder, you can be comforted by the fact that your doctor can help you devise the best treatment plan to help you cope with this disorder. Many patients suffering from the disorder have learned to control their symptoms and resume their full, active pre-IBS lives. It is also important to seek a proper diagnosis to ensure that you aren't suffering from another type of similar IBD.