What are some symptoms of irritable bowel disease?

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include bloating, excess gas, changes in the patterns of bowel movements, pain in the lower abdomen and mucus in the stool, according to WebMD. Bowel movement pattern changes associated with IBS include diarrhea or constipation and differences in consistency and size of stool.

A diagnosis of IBS is more likely when these symptoms persist for at least six months, notes WebMD. Persistent symptoms of IBS generally occur along with abdominal pain for at least three days out of the previous three months when accompanied by pain that is relieved with a bowel movement or a change in frequency, consistency or appearance of stools.