To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: What Really Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome? URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/52952.htm Doctor's Guide January 27, 1998
LONDON, ENGLAND -- January 27, 1998 -- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not directly caused by abuse, as has been thought until now, suggests a study in Gut. Rather, it is the neuroticism that develops as a result of the abuse that is likely to lead to the syndrome. IBS is extremely common and notoriously difficult, as well as expensive, to treat. Its symptoms include often severe abdominal pain, bloating, urgency and a mix of constipation and diarrhea. Its cause is poorly understood, but since 1990, IBS has been linked to a history of abuse, especially of a sexual nature. Women seem to be more prone to the syndrome than men. A random survey of 730 people in a Sydney suburb showed that 12 per cent had the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Sexual, physical and emotional/verbal abuse was common among all those surveyed, but was reported more often by women. Childhood abuse of any kind doubled the chances of developing symptoms of IBS, but after allowing for influential factors, such as gender, age and personality traits, this association was cancelled out. The severity of the abuse had no bearing on the likelihood of developing symptoms. However, neuroticism and other psychological illness significantly increased the chances of developing IBS irrespective of these factors. Evidence suggests that neuroticism is genetically determined, but say the authors, abuse could be a co-factor, causing neurotic tendencies to be expressed and so predisposing to IBS. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.