Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is very common cause of abdominal discomfort.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Abdominal pain eased after defecation
• Looser stool at onset of pain
• More frequent stool at onset of pain
• Abdominal distension
• Feeling of incomplete emptying
• Mucus per rectum

Alarming Features

• Presence of these features are uncommon in IBS and suggest alternate pathology
• Blood in stool
• Family history of Inflammatory bowel disease/colon cancer
• Fever
• Onset after the age of 50
• Weight loss
• Chronic diarrhea
• Progressive dysphagia

Diagnosis

• Presence of symptoms of IBS and absence of alarming symptoms are suggestive of diagnosis of IBS

Treatment

• Antispasmodics
• Laxatives
• Antidiarrhoeal
• Antidepressants and anxiolytics
• Antibiotics
• Probiotics