IBS

Question 1

What is the aetiology of IBS?

Answer 1

o Abnormal GI transit profiles
o Colonic muscle hyper/hypo-activity
o Psychological illness resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms?

Answer 2

• Altered bowel habits
• Abdominal pain and/or distention
• Postprandial urgency
• Dyspepsia
• Urinary symptoms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stressor-related symptoms

Question 3

What are the risk factors?

Answer 3

• Female&raquo_space; Male
• Age- teenager – 50’s
• Family history
• Emotional disturbances and/or mental illness
• Food sensitivities
• Some medications  antibiotics, antidepressants, drugs made with sorbitol
• Other digestive problems

Question 4

What are the investigations used for IBS?

Answer 4

• FBC, ESR, CRP
• Coeliac screen
• CA125 for women with symptoms that could be ovarian cancer
• Faecal calprotectin for those with symptoms that could be IBD

Question 5

What is the management for IBS?

Answer 5

• Discuss the likely long-term implications and course of the condition with the patient
• Provide information about self-help, including diet and exercise, as well as symptom-targeted medications available OTC
• Loperamide to manage diarrhoea and laxatives to manage constipation
• Antispasmodics for abdominal pain and spasms  Peppermint oil as a natural alternative
• Antidepressants
• Antibiotics to alter the GI tract bacterial composition  short course rifaximin or neomycin
• Psychological therapies