Positive Health Online

Abstract

FARHADI and colleagues, Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Digestive Disease), Pharmacology, Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA, reviewed (126 references) the current options available for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) .

Background

IBS is common, with between 10 and 25% of the population suffering symptoms, it is the most common gastrointestinal condition presented to doctors. In addition to painful symptoms, sufferers often have to contend with medical expenses, and negative impacts on their social and working lives . The causes of IBS can arise anywhere between the gut itself and the areas of the brain that control its function, and may be due primarily to psychological/emotional factors/stress, an abnormality of the muscular reflexes in the gut that influence bowel movements, or increased sensation/sensitivity in the gut. IBS is diagnosed using a set of established criteria – either the Manning or Rome-II criteria.

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Farhadi A et al. Irritable bowel syndrome: an update on therapeutic modalities. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 10 (7): 1211-22. Jul 2001.