Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Spastic Colon, Irritable Colon

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Functional bowel disorder: motility disturbance of the entire gastrointestinal tract (GIT) resulting in recurrent symptoms of pain, constipation and/or diarrhoea and bloating.

General Measure of IBS

Reassure patient, after limited investigations, that there is no serious organic disorder. Dietary advice by dietician.

Medicine for Treating IBS

Not specifically indicated. Based on patients’ predominant symptoms. Short-term symptomatic treatment for diarrhoea and/or constipation.

Laxatives only for constipation-specific IBS, for details, reads Constipation/Faecal impaction. Antidiarrhoeals only for diarrhoea-specific IBS.

Diarrhoea, Acute Non-Inflammatory.

Tricyclic anti-depressants may be used as adjuvant therapy.

• Amitriptyline, oral, 25–75 mg daily. o Titrate dose as appropriate.