Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is classified as a functional bowel disorder that causes abdominal pain. That means there is no visible damage to the tissues, but there is a disorder of functioning.
A bowel obstruction occurs when a section of the small or large intestine becomes partially or completely blocked. This can be a dangerous condition, potentially increasing the risk of a severe infection or a perforation (hole) in the intestine.
Laxative abuse happens when someone tries to lose weight, shed calories, or feel “empty” through the repeated use of laxatives. Laxatives are medications that are used to treat constipation.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are prevalent in adults, adolescents, and children. They are also known as disorders of gut-brain interaction. FGIDs cause sensitivity and a host of symptoms in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but ones that are the result of atypical functionality, not a disease or infection.
Abdominal distension is a sense of increased abdominal pressure that involves an actual measurable change in the circumference of a person's abdomen.