Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is very common cause of abdominal discomfort. 

Symptoms are: 

1.    Abdominal pain eased after defecation

2.    Looser stool at onset of pain

3.    More frequent stool at onset of pain

4.    Abdominal distension

5.    Feeling of incomplete emptying

6.    Mucus per rectum

Alarming features

Presences of these features are uncommon in IBS and suggest alternate pathology 

1.    Blood in stool

2.    Family history of Inflammatory bowel disease/colon cancer

3.    Fever

4.    Onset after the age of 50

5.    Weight loss

6.    Chronic diarrhea

7.    Progressive dysphagia 

Diagnosis 

Presence of symptoms of IBS and absence of alarming symptoms are suggestive of diagnosis of IBS 

Treatment 

1.    Antispasmodics

2.    Laxatives

3.    Antidiarrhoeal

4.    Antidepressants and anxiolytics

5.    Antibiotics

6.    Probiotics