Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation of part of the digestive tract. Examples of this type of disease include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder that interferes with the normal functions of the colon. IBS is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Featured:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices

This fact sheet provides basic information on IBS and “what the science says” about complementary products and therapies for this condition.

For Consumers

General Information

Research Spotlights

See all research spotlights

For Health Professionals

NCCAM Clinical Digest

Clinical Digest: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices
Clinical Digest: Stress and Relaxation Techniques

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Probiotics and Children (Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition) [119KB PDF]

Scientific Literature

Systematic Reviews/Reviews/Meta-analysis (PubMed®)
Randomized Controlled Trials (PubMed®)

* Note: PDF files require a viewer such as the free Adobe Reader.