To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Cause Of IBS Still A Mystery Leading Some To Doubt Its Existence URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/4B602.htm Doctor's Guide December 5, 1997
LONDON, ENGLAND -- December 5, 1997 -- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects about one in seven people and accounts for a staggering 20-50 percent of referrals to gastroenterology clinics. The disease is a chronic and relapsing condition in which a patient is afflicted with recurrent bouts of abdominal pain that generally are relieved with defecation. Patients usually note a change in stool frequency, either diarrhea or constipation, or a change in stool consistency. In this week's The Lancet three experts in IBS, Dr. Paul Maxwell and colleagues, describe the latest IBS research. The researchers say a number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain this disease in terms of a physiological disorder, including altered small intestinal motility, smooth muscle abnormalities, or a sensory condition that might cause normal gut motility to feel abnormal to a patient. But, to date, no one has found convincing evidence that any of these explanations is correct. Indeed, patients with IBS are often dismissed as hypochondriacs who have nothing seriously wrong with them. "Many physicians today hold these beliefs so strongly that they almost disregard the gastrointestinal complaints of their IBS patients," the researchers write. But Maxwell and his colleagues urge doctors to take such patients seriously, especially since if, with further evaluation, it appears the patient truly has IBS, the authors suggest physicians present the diagnosis of IBS as positive. "The patient must not be treated dismissively with the label of IBS because nothing else can be found to explain their symptoms," they write, adding many patients may believe they have cancer. "An explanation of the diagnosis with reassurance that the symptoms may be long-lived but are never life-threatening, do not indicate the development of further disease, are paroxysmal, and will generally improve with time is helpful." To help these patients, they suggest a variety of dietary changes and medications which can help at least to relieve symptoms. "There is no easy treatment for IBS, and no cure," they write. "The diagnosis marks the beginning of a long physician-patient relationship, which is as vital as any medication." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.