GENERAL HEALTH The Low Down on IBS WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL FEATURES OF IBS? Abdominal cramping, discomfort or pain is a central feature of IBS but its location, character and severity can vary widely. Altered bowel habits are also a key feature and IBS is often classified according to the nature of the bowel d isturbance: constipation-predominant (C-IBS), diarrhoea-predominant (D-IBS) and alternating (A-IBS). There are other symptoms that are commonly reported by people with IBS. Abdominal bloating is particularly common, but when it is present as a lone symptom (not associated with pain and altered bowel habits) it is also a feature of normal populations. The relationship of symptoms to food intake or specific food sensitivities is also a common feature and one that can be useful in tailoring therapy. People with IBS also commonly describe their symptoms as being dynamic over time, including such things as a change in location of the pain and even a change in stool pattern. An important issue in the assessment of people with IBS is the exclusion of so-called ‘red flag features’. These ‘alarm symptoms’ may indicate underlying organic disease and include: • Symptom onset above age 50 years • Nocturnal symptoms, especially nocturnal diarrhoea • Unexplained weight loss • Gastrointestinal bleeding • Unexplained anaemia, especially iron-deficiency anaemia • Severe or worsening symptoms • Family history of organic gastrointestinal disease, including cancer and inflammatory bowel \disease (IBD) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic relapsing syndrome characterised by pain and altered bowel habit in the absence of any organic cause. IBS is an important condition for many reasons, not least because of its prevalence. In Australia the overall prevalence is 12% but this decreases with age. It is the second highest cause of work absenteeism after the common cold. In other parts of the world the prevalence has been quoted to be as high as 20-25%. 16 Pindara Magazine 2015\2016
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Six
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