IBS Flashcards
1
Q
Main presenting symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A
- abdominal pain relieved by defecation
- associated with altered bowel habit
+/- 2 of the following
- altered stool passage (urgency, incomplete evacuation)
- abdominal bloating
- symptoms made worse by eating
- PR mucus
2
Q
Red flag features to consider before a diagnosis of IBS
A
- rectal bleeding
- unexplained/unintentional weight loss
- family history of bowel or ovarian cancer
- onset after 60 years of age
3
Q
What investigations may be used in Primary care to confirm/rule out IBS
A
- full blood count
- ESR/CRP
- coeliac disease screen (tissue transglutaminase antibodies)
4
Q
Management of pain, constipation and diarrhoea in IBS
A
pain: antispasmodic agents
constipation: laxatives but avoid lactulose
diarrhoea: loperamide
2nd Line: low-dose tricyclic antidepressants
5
Q
Dietary advice for IBS
A
- regular meals
- take time to eat
- 8 cups of fluid per day
- restrict caffeine/fizzy drink intake
- limit high-fibre food/ fresh fruit
for diarrhoea - avoid sorbitol
- for wind and bloating consider increasing intake of oats
