The colon responds strongly to stimuli (for example, foods or stress) that would not bother most people diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms The colon, which is about 5 feet long, connects the small intestine with the rectum and anus diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms The major function of the colon is to absorb water, nutrients, and salts from the the partially digested food that enters from the small intestine diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Two pints of liquid matter enter the colon from the small intestine each day diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Stool volume is a third of a pint diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms The difference in volume represents what the colon absorbs each day diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms The following have been been associated with a worsening of IBS symptoms: The lining of the colon (epithelium) , which is affected by the immune and nervous systems, regulates the passage of fluids in and out of the colon diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms In IBS, the epithelium appears to work properly diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms However, fast movement of the colon's colon's contents can overcome the absorptive capacity of the colon diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms The result is too much fluid in the stool diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms In other patients, colonic movement is too slow, too much fluid is absorbed, and constipation develops diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms The NIDDK conducts and supports research into many kinds of digestive disorders, including including IBS diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Researchers are studying gastrointestinal motility and sensitivity to find possible treatments for IBS diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms These studies include the structure and contraction of gastrointestinal muscles as well as the mechanics of fluid movement through the intestines diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Understanding the influence of the nerves, hormones, and inflammation in IBS may may lead to new treatments to better control the symptoms diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms The normal motility of the colon may not work properly diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms It can be spasmodic or can even stop temporarily diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Spasms are sudden strong muscle contractions that come and go diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms What are the symptoms of IBS? What causes causes one person to have IBS and not another? No one knows diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Symptoms cannot be traced to a single organic cause diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Research suggests that people with IBS seem to have a colon that is more sensitive and reactive than usual to a variety of things, including certain foods and and stress diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Some evidence indicates that the immune system, which fights infection, is also involved diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms IBS symptoms result from the following: What does the colon do? What is the treatment for IBS? wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products, or alcohol When it starts, there is a change in how how often you have a bowel movement diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms When it starts, there is a change in the form of the stool or the way it looks diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms With any medication, even over-the-counter medications such as laxatives and fiber supplements, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions diverticulitis-diverticulitis-symptoms Laxatives can be | 