Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Question 1

What is IBS?

Answer 1

Recurrent abdominal discomfort or pain that is accompanied with:
relief by defecation,
change in frequency of stool
change in consistency of stool

Question 2

Who commonly has IBS?

Answer 2

Women from western countries are 2-3 times more likely

70-80% of IBS cases in India are males

Question 3

What causes IBS?

Answer 3

Dont know BUT:

Emotional factors, diet, drugs, or hormones may precipitate or aggravate GI symptoms

Question 4

How is IBS best understood?

Answer 4

Better understood as a combination of psychosocial and physiologic factors.

Question 5

What do patients with IBS present with?

Answer 5

Abdominal discomfort, which varies considerably but is often
Pain in the lower abdomen steady or cramping in nature, Relieved by defecation.
Alternate between constipation and diarrhoea
straining, urgency or feeling of incomplete evacuation

Question 6

How could we help patients with IBS?

Answer 6

Provide Support and understanding
Promote normal diet, avoiding gas-producing and diarrhea-producing foods
Increase fiber intake
Refer if: fever and weight loss or rectal bleeding is present