Irritable bowel syndrome: overview of diagnosis and treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common in primary care practice and in gastroenterology clinics and is occasionally seen in psychiatric clinics. The symptoms include abdominal cramping, bloating, and pain, as well as diarrhea, constipation, or both. Treatment includes patient education and reassurance, dietary modification, medications if necessary, and consideration of psychological interventions. The etiology of IBS is poorly understood. Research suggests a role for bowel dysmotility, altered pain perception, history of physical and sexual abuse, and psychiatric disturbance, though none of these factors alone has been proven to cause IBS.