Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
by Nimzing Ladep
1. What is it:
1.1. Bowel disorder
1.2. Abdominal cramps/pain/bloating
1.3. Relapsing
1.4. No cure
1.5. No known cause
2. How is it diagnosed?
2.1. Symptoms
2.1.1. On and off with no pattern
2.1.2. Lasting 6 months or more
2.2. Signs
2.2.1. Normal
2.3. Tests
2.3.1. Negative coeliac screen
2.3.2. Full blood count - normal
2.3.3. Consider Ca-125 in middle aged women
3. How does it present?
3.1. Abdominal pain/cramps, associated with:
3.2. Change in bowel habit - diarrhoea, constipation or alternating
3.3. Flatulence
3.4. Fatigue
3.5. Beware of red flags - to note: weight loss, PR bleeding abd mass
4. Treatment
4.1. Lifestyle changes
4.1.1. avoid fizzy drinks
4.1.2. Limit tea/coffee to 3/day
4.1.3. Don't skip meals
4.1.4. Exercise
4.1.5. Relaxation
4.2. Diet
4.2.1. Low FODMAP diet
4.2.2. Keep food diary and avoid precipitants
4.3. Medicine
4.3.1. Fybogel/senna/laxatives - if constipation
4.3.2. Loperamide
4.3.3. Antispasmodics eg mebeverine HC