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Irritable bowel syndrome - Management
Definition
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, relapsing, and often lifelong disorder of gastrointestinal function with no discernible structural or biochemical cause.
- IBS is characterized by:
- The presence of abdominal pain/discomfort associated with, or relieved by, defecation.
- A change in bowel habit, with constipation, diarrhoea, or both constipation and diarrhoea.
- Abdominal bloating.
- For more information on diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome and excluding other causes of symptoms, see Diagnosis.
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