Symptoms of bowel diseases such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (inflammatory bowel diseases) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome include painful cramping, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and bleeding.
Diarrhea or constipation may predominate, or both may alternate. IBS may begin after an infection or a stressful life event. Other functional or pain disorders and certain psychological conditions are more common in those with IBS.
Evidence supports that certain cases of bowel disease, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, result from the malfunction of nerves that control the gastrointestinal system and/or the immune system, or following trauma to the spine and/or spinal cord. In each of these cases, it is possible the spine was involved since spinal injuries can create malfunctions within the nervous system, the immune system, and the nerves traveling from the brain to the gastrointestinal system.