Irritable bowel syndrome. Practical management.

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem affecting one in six Australians. In any patient complaining of chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea or constipation or bloating, IBS should top the list of possibilities.

OBJECTIVE

To outline an approach to the practical management of patients with IBS.

DISCUSSION

A positive diagnosis can be made if a few simple questions are asked, and the diagnosis can be confirmed by a small number of tests to exclude structural disease. Improved understanding of the differences in gut function in patients with IBS is likely to result in the development of some exciting new therapies.