IBS

Question 1

What is meant by IBS

Answer 1

Common, chronic, relapsing and often life-long- associated with abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, urgency, incomplete defaecation and passing mucus

More common in women and people aged 20-30

Question 2

What is IBS exacerbated by and therefore should be avoided

Answer 2

Coffee, alcohol, and milk
Large meal
Fried foods
Stress

Question 3

What is the non drug treatment for IBS

Answer 3

Increase exercise
Eat regular meals
Reduce fresh fruit consumption to 3 portions a day
Reduce insoluble fibre
Drink at least 8 cups of water a day
Reduce caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks
Avoid sorbitol of you have diarrhoea
Reduce stress

Question 4

What are the drug treatment for IBS

Answer 4

Normally treatable OTC
- antispasmodics: alverine, mebeverine and peppermint oil
Laxatives: if constipated ( not lactulose as it may cause bloating)
Loperamide: if experiencing diarrhoea
Antimuscarinics: hycosine butylbromide (avoid in cardiac disease

Second line treatment for pain if OTC therapy doesn’t work
- low dose TCA: amtriptyline
SSRIs if TCAs doesn’t work
Use is unlicensed