Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, and spastic colitis. It is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, and not related to any other bowel conditions.

Although sometimes confused with IBS, IBD is actually an auto-immune condition caused by an overactive immune system, which leads to inflammation throughout the gut and the gastrointestinal tract. IBS usually develops due to digestive problems, an oversensitive gut, and quite often because of high levels of stress and anxiety.