IBS TREATMENTS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition often seen in medical clinics and offices across the country. It is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort with defecation, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, and no specific disorder to point to as the cause. Irritable bowel syndrome is not a new problem. In the late 1800's, it was referred to as mucous colitis and still has many names, including spastic colon, nervous colon, and irritable colon. It is often a chronic problem with relapse. The Rome III criteria are used to diagnose IBS. These criteria are clinically based and are used to separate IBS from more serious disorders of known organic causes. To be called or diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, symptoms should be present for at least 3 days a month for 3 months and the onset or start of the disorder at least 6 months before it has been diagnosed by a physician. A definitive cause of IBS is not known but genetic factors have been suggested since some studies..