Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Question 1

What are the characteristics on history in someone with irritable bowel syndrome?

Answer 1

• Symptoms at least three months
  
  • Discomfort/pain with 2+ of
    
    • Improvement with defecation
    • Change in stool appearance
    • Change in stool frequency

Question 2

How might you manage someone with irritable bowel disease?

Answer 2

• Dietary
  
  • Avoid FODMAPs
  • Avoid caffeine, EtOH, smoking, sorbitol
  • Probiotics, CBT
• Symptomatic relief
  
  • Anti-diarrhoeals, laxatives, anti-spasmodics