What is IBS?

Do you need patient information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS patient information? If so, then read on here.

Irritable bowel syndrome has been classified as a functional bowel problem. It has been given various other names including Spastic Colon, Mucous Colitis, Anxious Abdomen and Irritable Colon. These names are really quite misleading and I believe should be avoided if possible.

It is a chronic, relapsing condition of unknown cause characterised by the Rome III diagnostic criteria of:

Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort and a marked change in bowel habit for at least six months, with symptoms experienced on at least three days of at least three months plus 2 or more of the following: Pain relieved by a bowel movement Onset of pain related to a change in frequency of stool Onset of pain related to a change in the appearance of stool

It is common in the western world and of unknown aetiology (i.e. we don't know what causes it), but various precipitants have been hypothesised including infections, environmental triggers, foods, genetics. It is probably a combination of these that triggers the symptoms.

It can also be thought of as a multisystem disorder as it has extra intestinal features (i.e. outside the bowel features) including headache, nausea, tiredness, increased urination and general aches & pains.

For more details on IBS then visit the rest of my website for good patient information.

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