Digestive Health Irritable Bowel Syndrome What Is Spastic Colon? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment By Barbara Bolen, PhD Barbara Bolen, PhD Twitter Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 07, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms Causes Treatment Frequently Asked Questions Spastic colon is a term sometimes used to describe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The term "spastic colon" came from the belief that muscle spasms within the large intestine (colon) caused problems with motility (the movement of food through the gut) and abdominal pain associated with IBS. Healthcare providers now know the mechanisms behind IBS are more complex. If you have been told you have or think you have a spastic colon, it may be helpful to learn more about IBS. This article provides an overview of spastic colon, including symptoms, triggers and causes, and treatment options. Universal Images Group / Getty Images Other Names Spastic colon is also known as irritable bowel syndrome. It can also be called:IBSColitisMucous colitisNervous colonSpastic bowelIrritable colon Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. This means there's something wrong with how the digestive system functions, but no visible signs of disease show up during diagnostic tests. IBS is diagnosed after your healthcare provider has ruled out other disorders. The subtypes of IBS are based on changes in bowel movements and whether constipation, diarrhea, or mixed bowel habits are predominant. Spastic Colon Symptoms People with IBS experience various symptoms related to the functioning of the large intestine. They may have chronic constipation or urgent bouts of diarrhea. Many people find themselves alternating between the two bowel problems. Other IBS symptoms include: Abdominal pain Gas and bloating A feeling of incomplete evacuation Mucus in the stool See your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Other disorders that may be more serious share similar symptoms. It's important to receive a proper diagnosis so you get the appropriate treatment plan. IBS Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Causes No one knows for sure why some people end up with IBS. However, there's much more information on what might have gone wrong than in the past. Some problems identified as possible causes or triggers include: The brain-gut connection: The role of the nervous system, including changes in the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones, may affect digestive system function and how fast or slow food moves through the digestive tract. Visceral hypersensitivity: A stronger-than-normal pain response to pressure can occur within the large intestine. Gut bacteria: There can be an imbalance between "friendly" and "unfriendly" bacteria in the gut. Inflammation: There's no visible inflammation with IBS, but there may be inflammation that's not visible. Food intolerances and sensitivities: Symptoms may be triggered by specific foods or groups of foods. Additionally, dietary factors may help improve or worsen inflammation. A reason why IBS is hard to understand and treat is that several different factors may cause it. You can see that researchers have come a long way from pointing to colon spasms in the gut as being the problem. Treatment There's no one cure for IBS. Instead, there are various options your healthcare provider might recommend for you to try, such as: Medications Over-the-counter remedies Dietary changes Psychotherapy Medications The medication your healthcare provider recommends or prescribes will likely be related to the IBS symptoms you have. They can include: Laxatives: Miralax (polyethylene glycol), Metamucil (psyllium), Benefiber (wheat dextrin), or Citrucel (methylcellulose) Antidiarrheals: Imodium (loperamide) Secretagogues and prosecretory drugs: Amitiza (lubiprostone), Linzess (linaclotide), or Trulance (plecanatide) Antispasmodics: Bentyl(dicyclomine) or Levsin (hyoscyamine) Antidepressants: Elavil (amitriptyline), Sinequan (doxepin), or Norprimin (desipramine) Antibiotics: Xifaxan (rifaximin) Agonists/antagonists: Zelnorm (tegaserod) or Lotronex (alosetron) How IBS Is Treated Frequently Asked Questions Can colon spasms cause back pain? Yes. Back pain is a common symptom in people with IBS.Reasons for back pain in IBS include:Intestinal symptoms: IBS-related feelings of gas, bloating, or colon spasms can cause abdominal and lower back pain.Referred pain: Pain that starts in one body part (intestines) can be felt in another area (back).Related health conditions: IBS can occur alongside an overlapping condition that can cause back pain, like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. Learn More: Can IBS Cause Back Pain? What triggers spastic colon? Common triggers for a spastic colon attack, or IBS flare, include:StressSome medicationsStomach or intestine infections (gastroenteritis)Certain foods (such as high-FODMAP foods)CaffeineCarbonated drinksArtificial sugarsAlcohol Learn More: Top Ways to Make Your IBS Flare Up How long does spastic colon last? IBS is a chronic condition that can last long-term. Up to 75% of IBS patients continue to have the condition five years later.However, someone with IBS might not have symptoms all the time. They may experience flare-ups that last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.Most often, IBS flares last less than one week and usually don't continue more than three days. Learn More: 6 Effective Strategies for Handling an IBS Attack 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts for irritable bowel syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms and causes of irritable bowel syndrome. Cozma-Petruţ A, Loghin F, Miere D, Dumitraşcu DL. Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: What to recommend, not what to forbid to patients! WJG. 2017;23(21):3771. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Medications for IBS. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Overview of symptoms. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Overlapping conditions with IBS. Harvard Health Publishing. Best ways to battle irritable bowel syndrome. Saha L. Irritable bowel syndrome: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and evidence-based medicine. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(22):6759-6773. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i22.6759 Su A, Shih W, Presson AP, Chang L. Characterization of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome with mixed bowel habit pattern. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2014;26(1):10.1111/nmo.12220. doi:10.1111/nmo.12220 Additional Reading Minocha A, Adamec C. The Encyclopedia of the Digestive System and Digestive Disorders. (2nd Ed.) New York: Facts on File. Wilkins T, Pepitone C, Alex B, Schade RR. Diagnosis and management of IBS in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2012;1:86(5):419-26. PMID:22963061 By Barbara Bolen, PhD Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit