The Indian Practitioner

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – a Family Physician’s Perspective


Affiliations
1 Dept. of Gastromedicine, V.S. Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


IBS is one of the commonest diagnoses made in OPD practice of a GI physician. Even primary care physicians encounter such patients very frequently in their day to day practice. Abdominal pain associated with altered bowel habit is a characteristic feature of this disorder. IBS is a clinical diagnosis, and many diagnostic criteria are available. IBS is sub-grouped as diarrhoea predominant, constipation predominant and mixed type. The exact cause of IBS is not certain. However, many factors including genetic predisposition to psychological stress is implicated. Most investigations ordered in IBS patients are to rule out other serious underlying diseases, and in majority of the cases, they are superfluous. The treatment options available are mainly symptomatic, and that’s why tailor-made therapy is required in each patient. There are numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological options, which give significant benefit to the patients of IBS in symptom relief if used judiciously. Disease modifying therapy for IBS is not available currently, so the “cure” for the disease is not feasible with current medications.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • IBS in general practice. W G Thompson et al. Gut 2000: 46:78-82

  • Sleisenger and Fordtran, Gastrointestinal and Liver disease, 9th Edition.

  • Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: History, Pathophysiology, Clinical Features, and Rome IV. Drossman DA, Gastroenterology 2016;150:1262–1279.

  • Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Lacy BE, Patel N. J. Clin. Med. 2017, 6, 99.


Abstract Views: 268

PDF Views: 0




  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – a Family Physician’s Perspective

Abstract Views: 268  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Kaushal Vyas
Dept. of Gastromedicine, V.S. Hospital, Ahmedabad, India

Abstract


IBS is one of the commonest diagnoses made in OPD practice of a GI physician. Even primary care physicians encounter such patients very frequently in their day to day practice. Abdominal pain associated with altered bowel habit is a characteristic feature of this disorder. IBS is a clinical diagnosis, and many diagnostic criteria are available. IBS is sub-grouped as diarrhoea predominant, constipation predominant and mixed type. The exact cause of IBS is not certain. However, many factors including genetic predisposition to psychological stress is implicated. Most investigations ordered in IBS patients are to rule out other serious underlying diseases, and in majority of the cases, they are superfluous. The treatment options available are mainly symptomatic, and that’s why tailor-made therapy is required in each patient. There are numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological options, which give significant benefit to the patients of IBS in symptom relief if used judiciously. Disease modifying therapy for IBS is not available currently, so the “cure” for the disease is not feasible with current medications.

References