Irritable Bowel Syndrome Flashcards
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Relapsing function bowel disorder associated with a change in bowel habit, no organic cause found
What are the different types?
Hard, soft and mixed stools
What is the clinical presentation of IBS?
Crampy abdominal pain relieved by defecation or wind, altered bowel habit, sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation, abdominal bloating and distention
What is the pathophysiology of IBS?
Broadly unknown
What is the aetiology of IBS?
No structural lesion, associated with stress. Overactivity of the nerves or muscles of the gut. It is not known why this may occur. It may have something to do with overactivity of messages sent from the brain to the gut. Stress or emotional upset may play a role. About half of people with IBS can relate the start of symptoms to a stressful event in their lives. Symptoms tend to become worse during times of stress or anxiety.
Intolerance to certain foods may play a part in some cases. However, this is thought to be only in a small number of cases.
Infection and germs (bacteria) in the gut. IBS is not caused by an ongoing gut infection. However, in some cases, the onset of symptoms seems to follow a bout of a gut infection with diarrhoea and being sick (vomiting), called gastroenteritis. So, perhaps a virus or other germ may sensitise or trigger the gut in some way to cause persisting symptoms of IBS.
Oversensitivity to pain. People with IBS feel more pain when their gut is expanded (dilated) than those without IBS. They may have a lower threshold for experiencing pain from the gut.
What is the epidemiology of IBS
More common in women
What are the diagnostic tests for IBS?
Screen for coeliac’s to rule out
What is the treatment for IBS?
Regular meals, lots of fluids, fibre depending on the stools (more with diarrhoea less with constipation)
