Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Question 1

What is the defining symptom of IBS?

Answer 1

Abdominal pain, relieved with defecation or associated with a change in frequency or consistency of stool.

Question 2

The proven major contributor to IBS.

Answer 2

Stress, research shows that stress increases intestinal motility

Question 3

What is the best IBS treatment?

Answer 3

Educating patients about the disease. Most often psychological factor contribute to the disease and education can teach patients how to reduce these factors.

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Question 4

How is IBS diagnosed?

Answer 4

Thorough history along with ruling out any infection, invasive, narcotic abuse or autoimmune disease.

Question 5

What are 3 red flags found on physical exam that indicate something other than IBS?

Answer 5

1. Fever
2. Abnormal exam
3. positive occult stool

Question 6

What are 4 red flags found in the history that indicate something more than IBS?

Answer 6

1. Weight loss
2. nocturnal awakening
3. Older patient with sudden onset
4. Family Hx of cancer or Inflammatory bowel disease

Question 7

What should a physician remember in treating IBS?

Answer 7

Don’t treat the pain with narcotics, often opioids have a negative effect on GI mucosa