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Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Practical Approach

From the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

Address correspondence to: Mark DeLegge, MD, 25 Courtneay St, 7100A ART, MSC 290, Charleston, SC 29425; e-mail: deleggem{at}musc.edu.

Irritable bowel syndrome accounts for approximately 2.7 million physician office visits yearly, although only 10%-30% of affected patients seek treatment. The disease is predominantly found in women 20-50 years of age. The etiology of irritable bowel syndrome is likely multifactorial: environmental factors, genetics, gut flora alterations, nervous system alterations (visceral hypersensitivity and motility abnormalities), and psychosocial stressors are thought to contribute. Treatment options are also quite diverse, including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities. This article summarizes the proposed pathophysiology of and treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome.

Key Words: colon • small intestine • visceral afferents • diarrhea • constipation • gastroenterology

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