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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(GS014)
Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is part of a spectrum of diseases known as Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders which are characterized by chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms for which no structural or biochemical cause can be found.
IBS is relatively common affecting approximately 15% of persons in the United States (25-55 million) and occuring in men and women of all ages and races.
The cause of IBS is not known and there is no true "cure". Research has demonstrated that persons with IBS have certain characteristic responses within their colons.
While there is no cure for IBS, a multi-pronged approach can help to control symptoms and provide relief. Dietary alterations can help to reduce the occurrence of symptoms brought on by certain foods identified as triggers. Medications are usually not required, but when used are targeted at reducing specific symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain) experienced by the person.
Attention must also be paid to the psychological triggers that are known to play a significant role in the provocation of symptoms. In children, IBS is treated mainly through changes in diet.
MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
The Medifocus Guide on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
- What are the most common symptoms of IBS?
- Are there any recognized risk factors for developing IBS?
- What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of IBS?
- What is the current standard of care for the treatment of IBS?
- What treatment options are available for the management of IBS?
- Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?
- Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in IBS?
- Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for IBS?
- What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about IBS?
What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
- Lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.
Nutrition. 2000
- Pharmacologic treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review of randomized, controlled trials.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000
- Alosetron.
Drugs. 2000
- Towards an integrative model of irritable bowel syndrome.
Progress in Brain Research. 2000
- Irritable bowel syndrome. Definitive diagnostic criteria help focus symptomatic treatment.
Postgraduate Medicine. 2000
- Intestinal disorders. Relieving irritable bowel syndrome.
Harvard Womens Health Watch. 2000
- Gender role and irritable bowel syndrome: literature review and hypothesis.
American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
- Recommendations for the management of irritable bowel syndrome in family practice. IBS Consensus Conference Participants.
CMAJ. 1999
- Review article: clinical evidence to support current therapies of irritable bowel syndrome.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1999
- Review article: the therapeutic potential of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1999
MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
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