Clinical: The basics - Irritable bowel syndrome.(Disease/Disorder overview)

Lifestyle modification is often the best method of managing the relapsing condition of irritable bowel syndrome.

IBS is a chronic, relapsing and often lifelong disorder. The term refers to a heterogenous group of abdominal symptoms for which no organic abnormality can be found. It should be regarded as a diagnosis of exclusion with care taken to consider and rule out any pathology before the label is applied.

Clinical features

The condition is characterised by generalised abdominal discomfort that is often accompanied by a change in bowel habit and shows relief from defecation.

Symptoms that may be encountered alongside abdominal discomfort include diarrhoea, constipation or both, increased flatus, food intolerance, bloating or distension. Disordered intestinal motility is thought to result in the symptoms.

Although in some …