Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Question 1

what is irritable bowel sydrome

Answer 1

common, chronic, relapsing, often life-long condition

Question 2

symptoms of irritable bowel sydrome

Answer 2

• abdominal pain
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• urgency
• incomplete defaecation
• passing mucus

Question 3

irritable bowel sydrome common with?

Answer 3

• women
• people 20-30

Question 4

what excerbates irritable bowel syndrome

Answer 4

• coffee
• alcohol
• milk
• large meals
• fried foods
• stress

Question 5

non drug-tx of irritable bowel sydrome

Answer 5

• increase excerise
• eat regular meals
• reduce fresh fruit to** 3 portions** per day
• reduce insoluble fibre
• drink at least 8 cups of water daily
• reduce caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks
• avoid sorbitol if diarrhoea
• reduce stress

Question 6

OTC drug tx of irritable bowel sydrome

Answer 6

• antispasmodics
• laxatives
• loperamide
• antimuscarinics

Question 7

examples of antispasmodics

Answer 7

alverine
mebeverine
peppermint oil

Question 8

which laxative should be avoided in irritable bowel syndrome

Answer 8

lactulose as it causes bloating

Question 9

and when to avoid

which antimuscarinic is used in irritable bowel sydrome

Answer 9

• hycosine butylbromide
• avoid in cardiac disease

Question 10

2nd line drug tx of pain in irritable bowel syndrome if OTC therapy doesn’t work

Answer 10

• low dose TCA = amitriptyline
• SSRI if TCA doesnt work
• use is UNLICENSED