Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Genetics, diet, past trauma, and anxiety have all been thought to play a role in the cause of irritable bowel syndrome, but new research has found a clue to the disease.

In a clinical review published in Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, researchers from Iwate Medical University in Japan evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of the novel serotonin-receptor agonist ramosetron in patients suffering from diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).

Study shows gluten alters bowel functions in patients with IBS-D and that removal of gluten from the diet may reduce the frequency of bowel movements.

Recognizing that melatonin secretion from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract improves abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but decreases with age, Polish researchers from the Medical University of Lodz aimed to define the effect of administering melatonin in postmenopausal women with different predominating IBS symptoms.

A high-potency probiotic supplement that mimics the effect of morphine in the gut may reduce the development of visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Researchers claim that restricting dietary intake of fermentable short-chain carbohydrates improves GI symptoms in patients with IBS.

The stigma attached to chronic diseases such as IBS has been shown to negatively affect patients' self-image and sense of worth, leading to worse outcomes. Being aware of this and working to counteract the psychological effects of stigma can improve the patient-physician relationship and lead to better outcomes.

Data show that prevalence of concurrent IBS is actually higher in younger patients with OAB.

Several studies recently have looked at the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and increased pain sensitivity.

Study results show patients with IBS who drink four or more alcoholic drinks in one day may be more likely to experience diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion the next day.

Linzess (linaclotide capsules) was approved in August 2012 by the FDA as a once-daily treatment for adult men and women suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

Trial of mindfulness training as an intervention for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) demonstrates substantial therapeutic impact on bowel symptom severity.

Researchers have uncovered an antibiotic therapy that provides continuing relief for IBS for up to 10 weeks, according to a study in NEJM.

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that St. John's wort is not effective at treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can alter mucosal immunity, thus potentially increasing the tendency of CMV-infected hosts to develop colitis.