irritable bowel syndrome

irritable bowel syndrome   n.  A chronic disorder characterized by motor abnormalities of the small and large intestines, causing variable symptoms including cramping, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Also called irritable colon, spastic colon.

Main Entry: irritable bowel syndrome
Function: noun
: a chronic functional disorder of the colon that is of unknown etiology but is commonly considered to be ofpsychosomatic origin and that is characterized by the secretion and passage of large amounts of mucus, by constipation alternating with diarrhea, and by cramping abdominal pain —abbreviationIBS; called also irritable colon, irritable colon syndrome, mucous colitis, spastic colon