The most common condition seen in gastrointestinal outpatient clinics is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has a prevalence rate of 14-24% in women and 5-19% in men. […] There is no known structural or anatomical explanation that accounts for the pathophysiology, and the exact cause remains unknown"

Source : Nursing Times

It's generally considered to be a disorder of the brain-gut axis, viz. the disruption of communication between the brain and the digestive system.

It is known that infections, anxiety, and depression can significantly increase the risk of developing IBS.

Drug treatments are wide-ranging - from proton-pump inhibitors to antispasmodics and anti-depressants - perhaps reflecting the lack of understanding of the condition.

Other researchers classify it as a 'phychosocial' condition, which can be better treated with a psychological approach - e.g. talking therapies, hypnosis, CBT etc. etc.

Further info :Wikipedia

Also see: Ulcerative colitisplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigUlcerative colitis

"Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum. The primary symptoms of active disease are abdominal pain and diarrhoea mixed with blood. Weight loss, fever, and anaemia may also occur. and Chron's diseaseplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigCrohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the entire digestive tract. It causes inflammation and in severe cases, ulcers can form. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, abdominal distension, and weight loss. and Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)plugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigNon-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is currently defined as : "a clinical entity induced by the ingestion of gluten leading to intestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms that improve once the gluten-containing foodstuff is removed from the diet, and celiac disease and wheat allergy have been excluded".

Importance Rating