Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition and its pathophysiology remains to be unestablished. Traditional symptom-based therapies of IBS are directed at the relief of individual IBS symptoms. Combinations of drugs to target bothersome symptoms are suggested as the first-line pharmacologic treatment. Exclusion diets have modest efficacy in improving symptoms in some IBS patients. Dietary fiber, bulking agents, laxatives, antispasmodics and laxatives can be used for the improvement of some individual symptoms including constipation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. 5HT3 receptor antagonists and 5HT4 receptor agonists are effective in relief of global IBS symptoms and individual symptoms such as abdominal pain and abnormal bowel habits. A short term course of nonabsorbable antibiotics may be beneficial, particularly in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS. Some probiotics, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may have some benefits in relieving global IBS symptoms. The treatment strategies adequate for Korean patients with IBS are required. (Korean J
Author: Kwang Jae Lee
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W2207723089