According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, irritable bowel syndrome is estimated to effect 10% to 15% of the population worldwide, making it the most prevalent functional GI disorder.
While the exact pathogenesis of IBS remains largely unknown, scientific evidence points toward disturbances in gut, brain and nervous system interaction that can cause changes to normal bowel function and produce symptoms ranging from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation.