The Microbiome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Emerging Hope for Treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects 15%-20% of the US population. Its symptoms can have negative effects on a person's quality of life, and its treatment can be associated with high medical costs. An emerging area of irritable bowel syndrome research concerns the relationship between this condition and the gut microbiome. The purpose of this article is not only to review irritable bowel syndrome, and the role that the microbiome can play in its symptoms, but also to examine new emerging pathways that could blaze the trail for more individualized treatments. If equipped with this knowledge, gastrointestinal nurses and providers of care can be better prepared to help patients with irritable bowel syndrome in order to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.