Antibiotics for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 10-20%. IBS can be associated with severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel function. Although the causes of IBS remain undefined, recent research has increasingly suggested roles for gut flora in IBS. These roles involve postinfectious IBS, which can occur after a single episode of acute gastroenteritis, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, in which elevated populations of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria cause abdominal pain and altered bowel function. More recently, potential roles for methanogens in contributing to IBS subtypes have also been identified. In this paper, we review the different mechanisms by which gut flora may contribute to IBS and also discuss the efficacy and safety of various antibiotic therapies for treating IBS symptoms.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Institution: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W85378937