Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits in the absence of structural pathology.

Causes and risk factors

• Dysregulation of the gut–brain axis

• Visceral hypersensitivity

• Post-infectious changes

• Psychological stress

• Female sex

Main pathophysiological mechanisms

• Altered intestinal motility

• Nervous system dysregulation

• Changes in gut microbiota

Symptoms

• Recurrent abdominal pain

• Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bowel habits

• Bloating

Diagnosis (criteria)

• The diagnosis is based on the Rome IV criteria.
  Additional investigations are indicated only in the presence of “alarm symptoms”.
• Alarm symptoms include unexplained weight loss, nocturnal abdominal pain, blood in the stool, fever, symptom onset at an older age, and a family history of colorectal cancer or autoimmune diseases.

Treatment

• Symptom-directed pharmacological therapy (antispasmodics, intestinal antibiotics, neuromodulators)

• Dietary therapy

• Psychological interventions when indicated

Complications and prevention

IBS does not cause structural damage to the intestine and does not increase the risk of malignancy.

When to see a doctor

In the presence of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, alternating bowel habits, or bloating.

yeranik hambardzumyan
CEO, gastroenterologist, endoscopist

meri soghoyan
gastroenterologist, hepatologist

lucy hovakimyan
gastroenterologist, nutritionist

lilit hakobyan
dietologist, gastroenterologist