irritable bowel syndrome

irritable bowel syndrome
any combination of common disturbances of the bowel, as diarrhea or constipation, occurring with abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by psychological stress. Abbr.: IBS Also called irritable colon, spastic colon.

* * *

or IBS

Chronic disorder characterized by abdominal pain, intestinal gas, and diarrhea, constipation, or both.

Other symptoms may include abdominal pain that is relieved after defecation or a sensation of incomplete rectal evacuation. IBS is caused by a motility disturbance of the intestines that may result from increased intestinal sensitivity to distension. Stress or the consumption of fatty foods, milk products, certain fruits or vegetables (e.g., broccoli and cabbage), alcohol, or caffeine may cause similar symptoms. Treatment includes relaxation, exercise, and avoidance of aggravating foods. Antidiarrheal medications or fibre supplements may help lessen symptoms. Although IBS may cause discomfort and emotional distress, the disorder does not result in any permanent intestinal damage.

* * *

      relatively common disorder of the intestines (intestine) characterized by abdominal pain, intestinal gas, and altered bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation, or both. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain that is relieved after defecation, mucus in the stools, or a sensation of incomplete rectal evacuation. IBS is caused by a motility disturbance of the small and large intestines; this disturbance may result from increased intestinal sensitivity to distension. Stress or the consumption of fatty foods, milk products, certain fruits or vegetables (e.g., broccoli and cabbage), alcohol, or caffeine may cause similar symptoms. Women with the disorder may experience an increase in symptoms during menstruation. Treatment of IBS includes relaxation, exercise, and avoidance of aggravating foods. Antidiarrheal medications or fibre supplements may help lessen symptoms. Although IBS may cause discomfort and emotional distress, the disorder does not result in any permanent intestinal damage.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • irritable bowel syndrome — n a chronic functional disorder of the colon that is of unknown etiology but is often considered to be of psychophysiological origin and that is characterized by diarrhea or constipation or diarrhea alternating with constipation, abdominal pain… …   Medical dictionary

  • irritable bowel syndrome — n. a chronic gastrointestinal ailment lacking a specific known cause, characterized by abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea: abbrev. IBS …   English World dictionary

  • Irritable bowel syndrome — This article is about a functional disorder. For bowel inflammation, see Inflammatory bowel disease. Irritable bowel syndrome Classification and external resources ICD 10 K58 ICD 9 …   Wikipedia

  • irritable bowel syndrome — noun recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea (often alternating with periods of constipation); often associated with emotional stress • Syn: ↑spastic colon, ↑mucous colitis • Hypernyms: ↑colitis, ↑inflammatory bowel disease * * * ˌirritable ˈbowel… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome —    (IBS)    This is a common and generally benign condition of the colon, taking different forms but usually characterized by alternating constipation and diarrhea. There is often some pain accompanying the diarrhea phase. The bowel equivalent of …   Herbal-medical glossary

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — A common gastrointestinal disorder involving an abnormal condition of gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and constipation, symptoms that… …   Medical dictionary

  • irritable bowel syndrome — noun Date: 1943 a chronic functional disorder of the colon that is characterized especially by constipation or diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain, and the passage of mucus in the stool abbreviation IBS …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • irritable bowel syndrome — noun A functional disorder causing the nerves and muscles of the large intestine to be oversensitive, leading to symptoms such as cramp, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea and constipation …   Wiktionary

  • irritable bowel syndrome — (IBS, spastic colon, mucous colitis) a common condition in which recurrent abdominal pain with constipation and/or diarrhoea continues for years without any general deterioration in physical health. There is no detectable structural disease; the… …   Medical dictionary

  • irritable bowel syndrome — noun a condition involving recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhoea or constipation, often associated with stress or previous infection …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”