IBS

Question 1

The diagnosis of IBS should be considered if the patient has had what for at least 6 months?

Answer 1

abdominal pain,
and/or bloating,
and/or change in bowel habit

Question 2

Tx?

for constipation?

for diarrhoea?

for colic/bloating?

Answer 2

• Constipation: ensure adequate water and fibre intake + promote physical activity. Simple laxatives. If these fail try prucalopride.
• Diarrhoea: avoid alcohol, caffeine, sweeteners, get pt to try and identify their own trigger foods, try loperamide 2mg after each loose stool.
• Colic/bloating: oral antispasmodics: mebeverine or hyoscine butylbromide.