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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is very common, affecting 15% of Americans (and Canadians?) on a regular basis and making up 40-50% of referrals to gastroenterologists.
As with other functional bowel disorders, stress of various forms is very important.
Different triggers for different people.
Apple juice especially, but others as well, can cause diarrhea, especially in infants.
A heightened response to noxious visceral stimuli, such as balloon distension of the rectum or sigmoid colon.
The Manning Criteria includes:
Rome III criteria:
Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least once per week in the last 2 months, with symptom onset at least six months ago, associated with 2 or more of the following:
Red flags require further investigations:
Normal physical exam, including rectal exam
blood tests normal; abnormal suggests other disease
stool culture and sensitivity, and ova and parasites, if diarrhea
lactose intolerance as contributor to bowel symptoms
tissue transglutaminase is an effective screening tool for celiac disease.
Imaging cannot prove IBS, but barium enema or sigmoidoscopy can lean the diagnosis away from more serious conditions.
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion.
Identify life stressors and help with anxiety or depression. Reassurance is very important.
Illness behaviour is common. Contract with people about their responsibilities. Frequent follow-up improves coping.
Ensure appropriate eating habits (Canada's food guide, increased cereal fibres, and fluid.
Breakfast is very important; this helps the bowels to become operational.
Identify and avoid food triggers, along with caffeine and other stimulants, fat, gassy foods, and lactose.
lactose
gluten sensitivity may be seen, even if there is no overt celiac disease
gas-producing foods: beans, onions, carrots, celery, bananas, prunes
for diarrhea: Immodium (loperamide) and fibre
for constipation: high fibre diet and fluids, PEG 3350 powder (osmotic stimulant)
antispasmotics: pinaverium (Dicetal), hyoscyamine, docyclomine
pain: TCAs, SSRIs, , trimebutine (Modulon); potential placebo effect
probiotics (Gugliemetti et al, 2011).
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