What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), what are Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms, and how is irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, treated? Information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. For some people, however, IBS can be disabling. They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even travel short distances....more from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome at Johns Hopkins Medicine
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder, is a chronic condition of the lower gastrointestinal tract (Figure 1) that affects as many as 15% of adults in the United States. Not easily characterized by structural abnormalities, infection, or metabolic disturbances, the underlying mechanisms of IBS have for many years remained unclear...Read more at Johns Hopkins Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Read an extensive article on IBS prepared by Lin Chang, M.D. ,Center for Neurovisceral Sciences & Women’s Health, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center andpresented at the UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress.
Irritable bowel syndrome: Essentials from Consumer Reports
What is it? What are the symptoms? How is it diagnosed? How common is it? What will happen? Questions to ask. Key points about treatments from Consumer Reports.
Symptoms That Help Distinguish Irritable Bowel Syndrome From Crohn’s Disease
Many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and some with Crohn’s disease (a form of inflammatory bowel disease), suffer from non-gastrointestinal symptoms in addition to their digestive problems, according to new research. The study of 400 people with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease was reported in the...more at Johns Hopkins Medicine Health alerts
Facts About IBS
The impact of IBS can range from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation. It can control many aspects of a person's emotional, social and professional life. Persons with moderate to severe IBS must struggle with symptoms that often impair their physical, emotional, economic, educational and social well-being. Read more at the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.
Drug Used to Treat Depression Helps People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, According to Pittsburgh Study
Paroxetine, a drug commonly used to treat depression, can improve symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a study in the May issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that the drug relieved some symptoms of IBS and improved the well-being of people with IBS. See the UPM press release.
Podcast: David Bernstein, MD, Discusses Irritable Bowel Syndrome
David Bernstein, MD, chief of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and LIJ Medical Center, discusses treatment options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other gastro-intestinal issues at North Shore-LIJ Health System website.
Podcast: POEMs on IBS Treatments
Patient Oriented Evidence that Matter podcast on IBS treatments presented at Essential Evidence Plus.
Podcast: Success in IBS
A physicians continuing medical education podcast on IBS presented by Primary Care Education.
Chronic abdominal pain in children.
Functional abdominal pain may be categorized as one or a combination of: functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal migraine, or functional abdominal pain syndrome (see table below titled "Recommended Clinical Definitions of Long-Lasting Intermittent or Constant Abdominal Pain in Children"). See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
The efficacy of antidepressants and various psychotherapies as adjunctive treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Management of IBS is based upon the severity and nature of symptoms, the degree of functional impairment, and any psychosocial factors affecting the disease course. The following pharmacologic treatment recommendations are for patients with moderate to severe symptoms who have not had effective symptom control with dietary, herbal and other recommended pharmacologic agents (anticholinergic, antidiarrheal, 5-HT3, 5-HT4 and other agents including antibiotics, probiotics and complementary therapies). See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Irritable bowel syndrome in adults — Diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care.
Confirming a diagnosis of IBS is a crucial part of this guideline. The primary aim should be to establish the person's symptom profile, with abdominal pain or discomfort being a key symptom. It is also necessary to establish the quantity and quality of the pain or discomfort, and to identify its site (which can be anywhere in the abdomen) and whether this varies. This distinguishes IBS from cancer-related pain, which typically has a fixed site. See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Colonoscopy with ileoscopy allows direct visualization and biopsy of the mucosa of rectum, colon, and terminal ileum. Unless contraindicated because of severe colitis or possible toxic megacolon, a full colonoscopy with intubation of the terminal ileum should be performed during the initial evaluation of patients with a clinical presentation suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Abstract: Update on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Gender Differences.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional GI disorder characterized by abdominal pain associated with alterations in defecation or stool frequency and consistency. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Functional findings in irritable bowel syndrome.
The pathophysiology of IBS is complex and still incompletely known. Both central and peripheral factors, including psychosocial factors, abnormal GI motility and secretion, and visceral hypersensitivity, are thought to contribute to the symptoms of IBS. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: New insights into the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome - implications for future treatments.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Chronic symptoms may occur due to changes in gastrointestinal motor function, enhanced perception of gut stimuli, and psychosocial factors. Recent data suggest that abnormal processing of afferent signals occurs in IBS patients. See Abstract review at PubMed.
Abstract: Current and novel therapeutic options for irritable bowel syndrome management.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting up to 3-15% of the general population in western countries. It is characterized by unexplained abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating in association with altered bowel habits...Understanding the mechanisms, and their mediators or modulators including neurotransmitters and receptors have led to several therapeutic approaches...See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome: Novel views on the epidemiology and potential risk factors.
Symptoms consistent with the irritable bowel syndrome are remarkably frequent around the world. Irritable bowel syndrome prevalence ranges from 2.1% to 22%, depending on criteria used. Women are more frequently affected than men, but the reasons remain obscure; irritable bowel syndrome occurs in all age groups but there appears to be a modest decline in prevalence with advancing age again for unknown reasons. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: A randomized controlled trial of imipramine in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
AIM: To study the efficacy of low-dose imipramine in relieving symptoms associated with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind trial of 25 mg imipramine vs matched placebo for 12 wk was performed. Doubling the dose was allowed once at week 2 in case of an unsatisfactory early response. Primary efficacy variables were subjective global symptom relief and quality of life (QoL) using SF-36 at week 12. RESULTS: See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome.
Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is a common disorder wherein symptoms of IBS begin after an episode of acute gastroenteritis. Published studies have reported incidence of PI-IBS to range between 5% and 32%. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Efficacy of antidepressants and psychological therapies in irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder. Evidence for treatment of the condition with antidepressants and psychological therapies is conflicting. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). See Abstract at PubMed.
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