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There is an old Civil War saying, “It takes good guts to be a soldier.” While this was most likely an adage that described the grit and bravery required to be a warfighter, it also described the chronic bowel problems the service member faced from poor nutrition and uninhabitable living conditions. However, this adage also applies to the present day where there are a number of common chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders which today’s service members may experience. At the top of the list are functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, functional constipation, and functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS). While these disorders occur frequently in the civilian population, there are some unique aspects that can affect the active service member and veteran.

Chronic pain is the dominant symptom experienced by people who see a doctor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This shortened version of IFFGD article Understanding and Managing Pain in IBS, by Douglas Drossman, MD reviews how pain is expressed in individuals with IBS and why and what can be done about it.

Adverse effects are undesirable and sometimes harmful results from drugs or other therapies. To understand adverse effects we must first understand what is a drug, how it normally works, and why even the most beneficial drugs may cause harm. Tips on how to avoid adverse effects.

Pain, by definition, is the dominant symptom experienced by patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this publication is to help those affected understand why and how pain in IBS occurs, and how it can be confidently managed.

Chronic diarrhea has many causes. Malabsorption, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and pancreatic insufficiency are topics for another day. This article focuses upon those causes where a change in behavior may result in a rapid improvement in the diarrhea. Reviewed and updated 2009.

People with functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can have a variety of symptoms that range from painless diarrhea or constipation, to pain associated with diarrhea and/or constipation (usually called irritable bowel syndrome). There is another, less common condition of abdominal pain that is chronic or frequently recurring; it is not associated with changes in bowel pattern. This condition is called functional abdominal pain syndrome. Cause and treatment is discussed.

Bloating can be described as the feeling that there is an inflated balloon in the abdomen. It is a commonly reported symptom and is sometimes associated with distension, or the visible increase in the width of the area between your hips and chest (abdominal girth). Both bloating and distension cause discomfort, and sometimes pain, and have a negative impact on the quality of life for some individuals. (Shortened version of IFFGD Fact Sheet #262: Understanding Bloating and Distension)