IBS

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  Chronic condition that alternates between symptoms of diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal distension
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms

  • Lower abdominal spasms
  • Changes in bowel habit
  • Excessive wind
  • Passing mucus
  • Bloating and discomfort
• Commonly occurs at ages 20-30yr, and is twice as likely to occur in women
• Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • Genetics
  • Hormonal changes
  • Food allergies
  • Intolerance to certain foods
  • Eating fatty, spicy, acidic foods
  • Drinking caffeine or alcohol
  • Stress
  • Anxiety or depression
• 1st Line Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  1. Antispasmodics (Alverine, Mabeverine, Dicycloverine, Peppermint oil)

  2. Relax the smooth muscle of the walls of the GI tract

  3. Help stop spasms that cause abdominal pain/ cramps

  4. Symptomatic relief can be achieved within a few days
• 1st Line Antispasmodics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) age licen

  • Alverine (Spasmonal) (>12yrs)
  • Dicycloverine (Kolanticon gel >12 yrs)
  • Peppermint oil (Colpermin) (>15yr)
  • Mebeverine (colofac) (>18yrs)
• 2nd Line Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  1. Antimuscarinics (Hyoscine)

  2. Also relaxes smooth muscle of the GI tract/ bowel

  3. Not for pregnant/ breastfeeding

  4. Side effects: temporary blur vision, dry mouth, urinary retention, headache
• 2nd Line Antimuscarinic for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) age licensing 


  • Hyoscine (Buscopan IBS relief)-(12 years and above)
• IBS REFER

  children

  >45 years with first time symptoms ( suspect - bowel cancer)

  Loss of appetite

  Fever

  Nausea

  Vomitting

  Weight loss

  rectal bleeding ( suspect inflammatory bowel disease, gastric ulcer/carcinoma)

  Pregnant women

  bowel obstruction

  Severe abdominal pain

  Vomiting