IBS is one of the most diagnosed Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID), characterized by altered bowel habits with abdominal discomfort or pain in the absence of structural or biochemical abnormalities. Global FGID prevalence is about 40%, higher in women, while IBS prevalence in India ranges from 0.4% to 4.2%.
Although its exact cause is unknown, several factors contribute to IBS, including altered motility, visceral hypersensitivity, post-infectious changes, brain-gut dysregulation, dysbiosis, bacterial overgrowth, food sensitivity, carbohydrate malabsorption, and intestinal inflammation.
IBS is poorly understood, significantly impairs quality of life, and contributes to morbidity, absenteeism, productivity loss, and economic burden. Lactose intolerance, due to Lactase deficiency, often worsens IBS symptoms through heightened visceral sensitivity.