Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Clinical Manifestations, Dietary Influences, and Management

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by symptoms of chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of an overtly identifiable cause. It is the most commonly diagnosed functional gastrointestinal disorder, accounting for about one third of gastroenterology visits. It generally presents as a complex of symptoms, including psychological dysfunction. Hypersensitivity to certain foods, especially foods that contain high amounts of fructose, plays a role in the pathophysiology of IBS. Elevated consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been discussed in this aspect. The treatment options for IBS are challenging and varied. In addition to dietary restrictions for HFCS-induced IBS, such as low-FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharide, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) diets, existing drug therapies are administered based on the predominant symptoms and IBS-subtype. Patients with IBS are likely to suffer from issues, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic-stress disorder. Biopsychosocial factors particularly socioeconomic status, sex, and race should, thus, be considered for diagnostic evaluation of patients with IBS.

Synergistic Effect of Berberine-Based Chinese Medicine Assembled Nanostructures on Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Vivo

“…Studies suggest that this interaction seems to be influenced by multiple factors such as BGPs, immune inflammation, and intestinal flora ( Tjong et al, 2011 ; Ringel and Maharshak, 2013 ). Although current treatment of IBS-D includes lifestyle and dietary interventions, antimotility drugs, probiotics, antispasmodics, and antidepressant medication ( Ikechi et al, 2017 ). There is still no well-established treatment program for IBS-D that provided persistent relief for the multiple symptoms of IBS-D ( Chey et al, 2015 ).…”

Nutrition and the Function of the Central Nervous System

“…On the other hand, this may be explained by attempts of IBS patients to cut down on foods aggravating their symptoms such as bloating or constipation. Taking into account that gastrointestinal complaints are the core of IBS [77], patients suffering from this disorder might intuitively cut down on the food products that, in their opinion, worsen the symptoms [39,78], yet without calling this practice "following a diet". From a clinical perspective, such behaviour is not tantamount to an elimination diet, which was an exclusion criterion from our study.…”

Layperson's knowledge and perceptions of irritable bowel syndrome as potential barriers to care

“…Several mechanisms such as altered gastrointestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, disrupted visceral sensation processing, psychological distress, altered mucosal immune activation, altered intestinal permeability, genetic contribution and altered gut microbiome have been implicated as potential mechanisms associated with IBS pathophysiology (Holtmann, Ford, & Talley, 2016;Saha, 2014). Current research has primarily focused on the pathophysiology and treatment of IBS; often noting successful treatment to be challenging (Ikechi, Fischer, DeSipio, & Phadtare, 2017;Simr en, T€ ornblom, Palsson, & Whitehead, 2017).…”