Psychosomatic Disease
What are the different approaches to the management of IBS?
- Diet/Lifestyle Changes - Drug Treatments - Psychological - Complimentary Therapies
What are the putative physiological causes of IBS?
- GI Infections - Food Intolerance - Abnormal Gut Physiology
How is IBS diagnosed?
Rome III Criteria
What is the epidemiology of IBS?
- 20-30 year olds - More common in females
What are the signs and symptoms of IBS?
- Abdominal Pain and Cramping; which may be relieved by defecation - Change in Bowel Habits; diarrhoea alternating with constipation - Bloating/Swelling of Stomach - Excessive Wind - Occasional Urgency - Tenesmus - Passing Mucous
Give some examples of psychosomatic disorders.
- Asthma - Atopic Dermatitis - Tension-Type Headaches - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What does the diet/lifestyle change approach involve?
- Keeping a food diary to assess for intolerances - Assessment of activity levels
What are the putative psychological causes of IBS?
- Life Events - Chronic Stressors - Hyper-reactivity - Psychological Disorder
What does the complimentary therapies approach involve?
- Nutraceuticals (plant extracts) - Chinese Herbal Medicines - Probiotics
What is the Rome III Criteria?
- Symptom onset of 6 months (recurrent abdominal pain) - For at least 3 days/month for the last 3 months; improvement with defecation and change in frequency or form of stool IN UK +2 OF: - Bloating/Hardness of Abdomen - Symptoms Worsen After Eating - Passing Mucus
What is IBS?
A digestive condition your GP may be able to identify as IBS based on your symptoms, however blood tests may be done to rule out other possibilities.
What is a psychosomatic disorder?
A disorder where emotional or physiological factors can impact on the symptoms.
What does the drug treatments approach involve?
Treatment of the symptoms with: - Antidiarrhoeals - Laxatives - Antispasmodics Second line treatment: - Antidepressants
What does the psychological approach involve?
Usually sought after around 12 months: - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - Hypnotherapy - Psychotherapy
