Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder, characterised by abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habits in the absence of detectable structural abnormalities.
IBS often overlaps with other functional disorders such as fibromyalgia, headache, backache and genitourinary symptoms. Approximately 10% of the population is affected and is more common in females.
Clinical features:
- Abdominal pain colicky or cramping type in the lower abdomen relieved by defecation.
- Bowel habits are variable (constipation, diarrhoea)
- Bloating
- Passing of mucus is common but rectal bleeding does not occur
IBS is diagnosed clinically by using some iv criteria based on clinical symptoms and duration of symptoms combined with the absence of alarm symptoms(blood in stool, night-time symptoms, weight loss, family history of cancer, onset after 50 yrs, abdominal ass, anemia etc).
IBS classified has IBS c/d/m/u(constipation, diarrhoea, mixed, unclassified)
Causes or Pathophysiology:
IBS is due to motility abnormalities, genetic factors, leaky gut dysbiosis(change in gut microbial composition), increased sensitivity of the gut, brain-gut interactions and psychogenic.
Investigation:
- CBC
- CRP
- Colonoscopy will be advised if necessary
Management:
- Eat regularly
- Take time to eat
- Avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks
- Avoid alcohol and artificial sweeteners
- Low fodmap diets
- Do yoga
- Drugs will be considered if necessary
Dr. Chethan G | Consultant Medical Gastroenterology | Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, HSR Layout