Irritable bowel syndrome: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Irritable bowel syndrome.jpg|thumb|Irritable bowel syndrome]]
{{Infobox medical condition
[[File:Ibs prevalence.svg|thumb|Ibs prevalence]]
| name          = Irritable Bowel Syndrome
[[File:Three main components of the IBS.png|thumb|Three main components of the IBS]]
| synonyms      = IBS, spastic colon
'''Irritable Bowel Syndrome''' ('''IBS''') is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, discomfort, and altered bowel habits, such as constipation and diarrhea, without any detectable organic cause. As a [[gastroenterologist]], it is essential to understand the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of IBS to provide appropriate care to affected patients.
| image        = [[File:Irritable bowel syndrome.jpg]]
==Introduction==
| caption      = Irritable bowel syndrome
IBS affects up to 15% of the population and is more common in women than men. The condition can significantly impact patients' quality of life, leading to frequent healthcare visits and missed workdays. Although the exact cause of IBS remains unknown, it is thought to involve a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors.
| pronounce    =
==Pathophysiology==
| specialty    = [[Gastroenterology]]
The pathophysiology of IBS is not fully understood but is believed to involve multiple factors, including:
| symptoms      = Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation
* '''Altered gut motility''': Abnormal contractions of the smooth muscle in the intestinal wall can lead to either constipation or diarrhea in IBS patients.
| complications =
* '''Visceral hypersensitivity''': IBS patients often have increased sensitivity to pain and discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to exaggerated pain responses to normal physiological stimuli.
| onset        =
* '''Gut-brain axis dysfunction''': The bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain may be disrupted in IBS, potentially contributing to both gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms.
| duration      = Long term
* '''Low-grade inflammation''': Some IBS patients may have mild inflammation in the intestinal lining, possibly contributing to the development of IBS symptoms.
| types        = IBS-C (constipation predominant), IBS-D (diarrhea predominant), IBS-M (mixed type)
* '''Microbiome alterations''': Changes in the gut microbiota composition have been observed in IBS patients, although the significance of these changes is still under investigation.
| causes        = Unknown
==Clinical Presentation==
| risks        = Food sensitivity, stress
IBS is characterized by a combination of abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. The Rome IV criteria, which are used to diagnose IBS, require that patients have recurrent abdominal pain for at least one day per week over the past three months, associated with two or more of the following:
| diagnosis    = Based on symptoms, ruled out other conditions
* Pain related to defecation
| differential  = [[Inflammatory bowel disease]], [[Celiac disease]], [[Gastroenteritis]]
* A change in the frequency of stool
| prevention    =
* A change in the form (appearance) of stool
| treatment    = Dietary changes, medication, psychological therapy
IBS is further classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habit:
| medication    = [[Laxatives]], [[Antispasmodics]], [[Antidepressants]]
* '''IBS with constipation (IBS-C)''': Hard or lumpy stools at least 25% of the time and loose or watery stools less than 25% of the time.
| prognosis    =
* '''IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)''': Loose or watery stools at least 25% of the time and hard or lumpy stools less than 25% of the time.
| frequency    = 10–15% globally
* '''IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)''': Hard or lumpy stools at least 25% of the time and loose or watery stools at least 25% of the time.
| deaths        =
* '''IBS unclassified (IBS-U)''': Insufficient abnormality of stool consistency to meet criteria for the other subtypes.
}}
[[File:Irritable bowel syndrome factors.jpg|thumb|Irritable bowel syndrome factors.jpg]]
'''Irritable Bowel Syndrome''' ('''IBS''') is a common disorder affecting the [[large intestine]] that leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits including [[diarrhea]] and [[constipation]]. The exact cause of IBS is not well understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of intestinal and nervous system abnormalities, psychological stress, and microbial factors.
 
==Symptoms==
IBS symptoms vary widely among individuals but commonly include:
* Abdominal pain or cramping
* Bloating
* Gas
* Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation
 
==Causes==
While the exact cause of IBS is unknown, several factors appear to play a role, including:
* Muscle contractions in the intestine
* Nervous system abnormalities
* Inflammation in the intestines
* Severe infection
* Changes in gut microbes
 
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The diagnosis of IBS is primarily based on the patient's clinical history and the fulfillment of the Rome IV criteria. There is no specific diagnostic test for IBS; however, the following tests
Diagnosis of IBS is typically made based on the symptoms and after ruling out other conditions. The [[Rome criteria]] are often used to help diagnose IBS. Tests to rule out other conditions might include blood tests, stool tests, and [[colonoscopy]].
may be performed to rule out other possible causes of the patient's symptoms:
 
* '''Blood tests''': Complete blood count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to check for inflammation or anemia, which may indicate other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease.
* '''Stool tests''': To check for infection, inflammation, or malabsorption, which may present with similar symptoms to IBS.
* '''Serologic tests''': To screen for celiac disease in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS or mixed bowel habits.
* '''Breath tests''': To assess for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or lactose intolerance, which can mimic IBS symptoms.
* '''Colonoscopy''': In patients over 50 years of age or with alarm features (e.g., rectal bleeding, weight loss, anemia, or a family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease), a colonoscopy may be performed to rule out other conditions.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
There is no cure for IBS, but the following treatments may help manage symptoms:
Treatment of IBS may include:
* '''Dietary modifications''': Patients may benefit from keeping a food diary to identify and eliminate trigger foods. A low-FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides, And Polyols) diet may be recommended for some patients to reduce symptoms.
* Dietary adjustments, such as increasing fiber intake or following a low FODMAP diet
* '''Fiber supplementation''': Soluble fiber supplements (e.g., psyllium) may help improve constipation in IBS-C patients.
* Medications, including fiber supplements, laxatives, antidiarrheal drugs, antispasmodics, and antidepressants
* '''Medications''': Antispasmodics, laxatives, antidiarrheals, and medications targeting serotonin receptors may be prescribed depending on the patient's predominant symptoms.
* Psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy
* '''Probiotics''': Some studies suggest that certain probiotic strains may be beneficial for IBS patients, but more research is needed to determine the most effective strains and doses.
 
* '''Stress management''': Relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and hypnotherapy may help improve IBS symptoms by addressing the gut-brain axis.
==Epidemiology==
* '''Physical activity''': Regular exercise may help alleviate symptoms by improving gut motility and reducing stress levels.
IBS affects about 10–15% of people globally and is more common in women than men. The condition often begins in young adulthood.
 
==See also==
* [[Digestive system]]
* [[Functional gastrointestinal disorder]]
* [[Gut-brain axis]]
 
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Digestive diseases]]
[[Category:Syndromes]]
{{Medical condition classification and resources
| DiseasesDB      = 30638
| ICD10          = {{ICD10|K|58||k|55}}
| ICD9            = {{ICD9|564.1}}
| ICDO            =
| OMIM            =
| MedlinePlus    = 000246
| eMedicineSubj  = med
| eMedicineTopic  = 1190
| MeshID          = D043183
}}
{{Irritable bowel syndrome}}
{{Gastroenterology}}
{{stub}}
{{stub}}
{{Gastroenterology}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Irritable Bowel Syndrome}}
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Abdominal pain]]
[[Category:General practice]]
[[Category:Chronic pain syndromes]]
[[Category:Ailments of unknown etiology]]
[[Category:Conditions diagnosed by stool test]]
[[Category:Diseases of intestines]]
[[Category:Gastrointestinal motility disorders]]
[[Category:Syndromes affecting the gastrointestinal tract]]
[[Category:Syndromes of unknown causes]]
 
{{medicine-stub}}

Latest revision as of 17:51, 18 January 2025

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Synonyms IBS, spastic colon
Pronounce
Specialty Gastroenterology
Symptoms Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation
Complications
Onset
Duration Long term
Types IBS-C (constipation predominant), IBS-D (diarrhea predominant), IBS-M (mixed type)
Causes Unknown
Risks Food sensitivity, stress
Diagnosis Based on symptoms, ruled out other conditions
Differential diagnosis Inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, Gastroenteritis
Prevention
Treatment Dietary changes, medication, psychological therapy
Medication Laxatives, Antispasmodics, Antidepressants
Prognosis
Frequency 10–15% globally
Deaths


Irritable bowel syndrome factors.jpg

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the large intestine that leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits including diarrhea and constipation. The exact cause of IBS is not well understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of intestinal and nervous system abnormalities, psychological stress, and microbial factors.

Symptoms[edit]

IBS symptoms vary widely among individuals but commonly include:

  • Abdominal pain or cramping
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation

Causes[edit]

While the exact cause of IBS is unknown, several factors appear to play a role, including:

  • Muscle contractions in the intestine
  • Nervous system abnormalities
  • Inflammation in the intestines
  • Severe infection
  • Changes in gut microbes

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of IBS is typically made based on the symptoms and after ruling out other conditions. The Rome criteria are often used to help diagnose IBS. Tests to rule out other conditions might include blood tests, stool tests, and colonoscopy.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of IBS may include:

  • Dietary adjustments, such as increasing fiber intake or following a low FODMAP diet
  • Medications, including fiber supplements, laxatives, antidiarrheal drugs, antispasmodics, and antidepressants
  • Psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy

Epidemiology[edit]

IBS affects about 10–15% of people globally and is more common in women than men. The condition often begins in young adulthood.

See also[edit]


Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Management
Related topics


Health science - Medicine - Gastroenterology - edit
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Halitosis | Nausea | Vomiting | GERD | Achalasia | Esophageal cancer | Esophageal varices | Peptic ulcer | Abdominal pain | Stomach cancer | Functional dyspepsia | Gastroparesis
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Hepatitis | Cirrhosis | NASH | PBC | PSC | Budd-Chiari | Hepatocellular carcinoma | Acute pancreatitis | Chronic pancreatitis | Pancreatic cancer | Gallstones | Cholecystitis
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