Friends With RSD/Chronic Pain And Illnesses

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Also called: IBS, Irritable colon

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Some go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.

IBS is a common disorder and happens more often in women than men. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for IBS. However, your doctor may run tests to be sure you don't have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management and medicine.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
Also available in Spanish
- Overviews
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  - JAMA Patient Page: Irritable Bowel Syndrome(American Medical Association)
    Also available in Spanish
  - What I Need to Know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Diagnosis/Symptoms
  - Colonoscopy(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  - Colonoscopy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
    Also available in Spanish
  - Flexible Sigmoidoscopy(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  - Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Q&A(Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
    Also available in Spanish
  - Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Treatment
  - Lotronex (Alosetron Hydrochloride) Information(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research)
- Alternative Therapy
  - Introduction to Probiotics(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
  - Peppermint Oil(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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- Nutrition
  - Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet(American Academy of Family Physicians)
    Also available in Spanish
  - Foods to Choose If You Have Mixed Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Diet: Can Yogurt Ease Symptoms?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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- Disease Management
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome: How One Woman Meets the Challenge(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Tips on Controlling Your Symptoms(American Academy of Family Physicians)
    Also available in Spanish
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- Related Issues
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Diabetes(American Diabetes Association)
  - Spastic Colon: What Does It Mean?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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- Tutorials
  - Colonoscopy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
    Also available in Spanish
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
    Also available in Spanish
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- Clinical Trials
  - ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Diseases, Functional(National Institutes of Health)
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- Research
  - Can Antibiotics Improve the Symptoms of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome?(American College of Physicians)
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- Journal Articles
  References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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- Dictionaries/Glossaries
  - Digestive Diseases Dictionary(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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- Directories
  - GI Physician Locator(American College of Gastroenterology)
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- Organizations
  - American Gastroenterological Association
  - National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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- Children
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation)
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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- Teenagers
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Nemours Foundation)
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- Women
  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome(National Women's Health Information Center)
    Also available in Spanish
  This info is from the nih
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/irritablebowelsyndrome.html

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