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Query: UMLS:C0022104 (irritable bowel syndrome)
 8,033 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The irritable bowel syndrome is a highly prevalent condition whose underlying aetiology is not understood. While many patients respond to a combination of gastrointestinal antispasmodics, bulking agents and dietary manipulation, controlled clinical trials have suggested that the benefit is only marginal and is due mainly to the large placebo effect found in this condition, which has been calculated to range between 54 and 81%. Associations between the syndrome and psychological and social stresses suggest, however, that treatment involving a systematic approach to the management of symptoms may hold out real therapeutic possibilities. In the current study, 42 IBS patients were randomly allocated to either medical treatment or to behavioural psychotherapy with a nurse therapist. They were assessed initially and at 4 and 9 months. There was a general improvement over the 9 months on a number of physical and psychological symptoms measured. However, no differences were found between treatment groups except for changes in two avoidance scores. A significant correlation was found, however, between improvement in the bowel symptoms of IBS (stomach pain and diarrhoea) and improvement in the psychological symptoms measured by the Clinical Interview Schedule, suggesting a close interrelationship between the two.
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PMID:Behavioural psychotherapy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. 192 Jan 77

Irritable bowel syndrome and functional bowel disorder are diagnoses used to describe chronic GI symptoms for which no overt pathological condition can be identified. Symptoms are more common in women and are frequently followed in gastroenterology clinics. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the research linking GI symptoms and reproductive cycling and to discuss implications for practice. GI symptoms such as stomach pain and nausea are highest during menses compared with other cycle phases; also, stool consistency is loosest at menses. This pattern is present in control subjects. In women with irritable bowel syndrome the same pattern is seen but with higher symptom intensity. Although animal studies have demonstrated that estrogen and progesterone modulate contractile function of some GI segments, in humans, symptoms are highest when these hormones are at the lowest levels. Thus, symptoms in women may be related to decreasing ovarian hormone levels or to other circulating hormones or factors which vary with the menstrual cycle. Additionally, other factors such as stress aggravate symptoms. Therapeutics directed toward increasing patient awareness of cyclic patterns in symptom complaints, for example, via the use of daily symptom diaries may be a useful adjunct to dietary, pharmacological, and other therapies.
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PMID:Women with gastrointestinal symptoms: implications for nursing research and practice. 832 89

Irritable bowel syndrome and functional bowel disorder are diagnoses used to describe chronic GI symptoms for which no overt pathological condition can be identified. Symptoms are more common in women and are frequently followed in gastroenterology clinics. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the research linking GI symptoms and reproductive cycling and to discuss implications for practice. GIGl symptoms such as stomach pain and nausea are highest during menses compared with other cycle phases; also, stool consistency is loosest at menses. This pattern is present in control subjects. In women with irritable bowel syndrome the same pattern is seen but with higher symptom intensity. Although animal studies have demonstrated that estrogen and progesterone modulate contractile function of some GI segments. In humans, symptoms are highest when these hormones are at the lowest levels. Thus, symptoms in women may be related to decreasing ovarian hormone levels or to other circulating hormones or factors which vary with the menstrual cycle. Additionally, other factors such as stress aggravate symptoms. Therapeutics directed toward increasing patient awareness of cyclic patterns in symptom complaints, for example, via the use of daily symptom diaries may be a useful adjunct to dietary, pharmacological, and other therapies.
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PMID:Women with gastrointestinal symptoms: implications for nursing research and practice. 966 65

This article is based on a vast clinical experience from patients presenting with widespread pain syndromes as well as dysfunctional symptoms from inner organs. A literature survey has been performed. Allodynia and hyperalgesia that partly explain the fibromyalgia and local myalgia syndromes seem to arise from a pathophysiological process of nociceptive sensitisation. It is proposed that the concept of "sensory sensitisation dysfunctional disorders" be applied to conditions like bronchial hyperreactivity, Da Costas syndrome, Dercum's disease (Adipositas dolorosa), dry eyes and mouth syndrome, fibromyalgia, gastralgia, globus hystericus, interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, photo- and phonosensitivity, rhinitis, tension headache, tinnitus, vestibulitis syndrome. These dysfunctional disorders cannot be satisfactorily explained by presently known pathophysiological models like ongoing inflammatory process, tissue degeneration, fibrosis, blood vessel diseases, tumours, immune reactions, toxic or deficiency conditions, metabolic disturbances. Neurogenic mechanisms also seem to play an important role in the pathophysiology of arthritic conditions, and might be worthwhile to include in forthcoming discussions concerning the aetiology of chronic inflammatory disease.
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PMID:[Sensory sensitization, part II: Pathophysiology in dysfunctional disorders. Understanding the inner life of the nerve pathways may explain hitherto unexplainable symptoms]. 1278 9

Depression and painful symptoms occur frequently together. Over 75% of depressed patients report painful symptoms such as headache, stomach pain, neck and back pain as well as non-specific generalized pain. In addition, World Health Organization data have shown that primary care patients with chronic pain have a four fold greater risk of becoming depressed than pain-free patients. Increasingly, pain is considered as an integral symptom of depression and there evidence to suggest that pain and depression may arise from a common neurobiological dysfunction. Serotonergic cell bodies, in the raphe nucleus, and noradrenergic cell bodies in the locus coeruleus send projections to various parts of the brain, where they are involved in the control of mood, movement, cognitive functioning and emotions. In addition both serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons project to the spinal cord. These descending pathways serve to inhibit input from the intestines, skeletal muscles and other sensory inputs. Usually, these inhibitory effects are modest, but in times of stress, in the interest of the survival of the individual, they can completely inhibit the input from painful stimuli. A dysfunction of the serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons can thus affect both the ascending and descending pathways resulting in the psychological symptoms of depression and somatic pain symptoms such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain, or irritable bowel syndrome. In view of this, it is not surprising that tricyclic antidepressants have been a standard treatment of chronic pain for many years. In contrast and in spite of their improved tolerance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors do not appear to be particularly effective in the treatment of pain. Recently, a number of open and controlled trials with selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine, milnacipran and duloxetine, suggest that these compounds may be more effective in relieving pain than selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake. Wherever valid comparisons have been made the newer dual action drugs appear to be as effective as the tricyclic and considerably better tolerated. Dual action antidepressants may thus soon become the new standard treatment of chronic pain whether it is associated with depression or not. In addition, these agents may also have a role in modulating neurogenesis and other neuroplastic changes in the central nervous system, thereby leading to more complete recovery in patients suffering from the symptoms of depression or chronic pain.
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PMID:Serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors: New hope for the treatment of chronic pain. 2492 78

Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects 9-23% of the general population. This diagnosis contributes to more frequent doctor visits and multiple consultations by patients. The current approach to treating IBS is symptomatic and consists of a regimen of first line pharmacological treatment options; the use of anti-depressant drugs is also common. The efficiency of complementary medicine in the treatment of IBS has been studied in the last few years. Qualitative multidisciplinary approach studies, using personalized medicines with complementary therapies are needed. We present the case of a 39-year-old woman with a diagnosis of IBS since 2009, who complained about gastrointestinal symptoms since the age of 13 and severe episodes of spasmodic stomach aches in the last year self-ranked as 10, on a 0-10 scale; 3-4 episodes a month, which last for 5 days, accompanied by severe flatulence and bloating. In addition, she has constipation (one bowel movement every 10 days), alternating with multiple diarrheic bowel movements (6 times a day). Using a multidisciplinary approach, including medicinal care, Chinese medicine, reflexology and naturopathy resulted in significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life, as well as gradual reduction of drugs, approved by her physician. Stomach ache self-ranked now as 1, on a 0-10 scale; and flatulence and bloating self-ranked as mild. Bowel movement frequency increased and is now every other day. She no longer has diarrheic and/or multiple bowel movements. This case report emphasizes the importance of integrative treatment in IBS and its benefit in improving patients' quality of life.
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PMID:[Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatment: a multidisciplinary approach]. 2579 77