Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a relatively common condition characterised by a number of symptoms affecting the digestive system, including stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. The symptoms can be different between individuals, and are often triggered by stress or particular foods.
Interestingly, the prevalence of ME/CFS is estimated to be 35 times higher among people with IBS than in the rest of the population. And, conversely, there is also a high prevalence of IBS among people with ME/CFS.
But that’s not the only link between the two conditions. Both ME/CFS and IBS are often reported to occur after an infection, and they are also both associated with abnormal activation of the immune system, as indicated by raised levels of various cytokines and immune cells
