Chronic Bowel Disorders

Question 1

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Answer 1

Common, chronic, relapsing condition associated with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, urgency and incomplete defection
Exacerbated by
- coffee
- alcohol
- large meals
- fried foods
- Stress

Question 2

Non-drug treatment for IBS

Answer 2

• exercise
• regular meals
• reduce fresh fruit and fibre
• drink adequate amounts of water
• reduce caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks

Question 3

OTC Drug treatment for symptoms of IBS
- 4 types

Answer 3

1. Anti-spasmodics- mebeverine
2. Laxatives- NOT lactulose (causes bloating)
3. Loperamide
4. Antimuscrainic- Hyoscine butylbromide