Peate, 2016

DEFINITIONS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome comprise an assortment of gastrointestinal

symptoms also known as irritable bowel disease, irritable colon, spastic colon or
mucous colitis.
There is no cure for IBS but symptoms can often be alleviated with treatment.
IBS is described as abnormally increased motility of the bowel, usually
associated with emotional stress. IBS causes the bowel to become oversensitive,
which can result in a number of abdominal and bowel symptoms including spasm;
there may be a loss of peristaltic activity. IBS is a chronic, unremitting, long-term
condition which may have a genetic link.
IBS is a combination of abdominal symptoms which can be variable, may flare
up, lasting 2-4 days, and are often followed by remission, although some people feel
the pain continuously. There is a significant variability in signs and symptoms.
Altered bowel habits altered widely. There may be abnormal stool frequency,
diarrhea, or constipation, while stool form maybe lumpy, hard, small, pellet-like,
loose or watery. The person may strain at stool, experience urgency or feel there
may have been an incomplete bowel movement. Mucus may be passed per rectum
(Peate,2016).
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that include spastic colon,
spastic colitis, and mucous colitis is marked by chronic or periodic diarrhea
alternating with constipation and abdominal cramps.
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a functional disorder of gastrointestinal
motility Dewit & Kumagal, 2014).
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder of the colon
with unknown cause. Symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain or discomfort and
alterations in bowel patterns, are intermittent and may occur for years. Patients
often report a history of GI infections and food intolerances
There are no specific physical findings with IBS. The key to accurate diagnosis
is thorough history and physical examination. Diagnostic tests are selectively used
to rule out other disorders including colorectal cancers, inflammatory bowel disease,
endometriosis, and malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease.
Symptom based criteria for IBS are referred to as the ROME criteria, which
include the following: abdominal discomfort or pain for at least 3 months, with onset
at least 6 months before that and at has at least two of the following characteristics:
(1) relieved with defecation; (2) onset associated with a change in stool frequency;
and (3) onset associated with a change in stool appearance.
Treatment is directed at psychologic and dietary factors and drugs to regulate
stool output.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Headache
Lump in the throat and swallowing difficulty.
Fibromyalgia
Myalgia
Chest pain
Dyspepsia, heartburn, nausea
Bloating/distended abdomen
Pelvic and back pain
Urinary urgency, cystitis
Sexual dysfunction
(Peate,2016).
Typically, the patient reports a history of chronic constipation, diarrhea or
both. Patient may complain of lower abdominal pain (usually in the left lower
quadrant) thats often relieved by defecation or passage of gas. She may report
bouts of diarrhea, which typically occur during the day. The symptoms alternates
with constipation or normal bowel function.
The patient may describe his stool as small with visible mucus. Patient may
have small, pasty, and pencil-like stools instead of diarrhea. Other common
complaint is dyspepsia, abdominal bloating, heartburn, faintness, and weakness.
Auscultation may reveal normal bowel sounds. Palpation typically discloses a
relaxed abdomen. Occasionally, percussion reveals tympany over a gas-filled bowel.
IBS is a group of symptoms that together represent the most common

disorder presented by the patients who consult gastroenterologists. The three
characteristics typical of this disorder are (1) alteration in bowel elimination (either
constipation or diarrhea or both); (2) abdominal pain and bloating; and (3) the
absence of detectable underlying disease (Dewit & Kumagal, 2014).
STATISTICS
In the Uk, one-third of the population experience symptoms at some time,
occurring at any age, predominantly between 20 and 40 years.
In the United States more people suffer with IBS than with diabetes or asthma
and IBS is a major reason for missing workdays.

Peate, 2016

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DEFINITIONS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome comprise an assortment of gastrointestinal

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

IBS is a group of symptoms that together represent the most common

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