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Ency. home > Disease > I > Irritable bowel syndrome (functional bowel)

Irritable bowel syndrome (functional bowel)   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Pylorospasm; Spastic colitis; Nervous indigestion; Spastic colon; Intestinal neurosis; Functional colitis; Irritable colon; Mucous colitis; Laxative colitis; Functional dyspepsia

Definition:

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition of abnormally increased spontaneous movement (motility) of the small and large intestine, generally exacerbated by emotional stress.

Causes and Risks

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a combination of abdominal pain and altered bowel function. The cause is a disturbance in the muscle movement (motility) in the large intestine; however, there is no abnormality in intestinal structure.

The condition occurs more frequently in women and usually begins in those between 20 and 30 years old. Predisposing factors may be a low residue diet, emotional stress, bowel consciousness, and use of laxatives.

Ten to twenty percent of the general population have symptoms consistent with irritable bowel syndrome, but a small proportion seek treatment.

Ency. home > Disease > I > Irritable bowel syndrome (functional bowel)

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