Irritable bowel syndrome overview

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting around ten to fifteen percent of individuals worldwide, and is especially prevalent in the Western World (Raskov, Hans et al., 2016). The disorder may manifest in different forms ranging from mild to severe, but the commonest symptoms include frequent occurrences of bloating, abdominal pain and altered bowel habits presenting as either constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D) or the interchanging of the two (IBS-M) as described by the Rome IV Classification (Figure l) . IBS is not a life-threatening condition, however; it is highly uncomfortable and painful. In fact, other symptoms may also be common such as lack of sleep and depression due to the low quality of life associated with the condition (Canavan, C et al., 2014). Despite the fact that IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder, it is becoming increasingly evident that both the microbiome and the brain play major roles in the development and manifestation of this condition. The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a term used to describe the bidirectional relationship between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract (Collins, S.M et al., 2009). This axis describes a crucial relationship that must be considered in patients suffering from many inflammatory bowel disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.