Irritable bowel syndrome (functional bowel)

Alternative names:

functional colitis; functional dyspepsia; intestinal neurosis; irritable colon; laxative colitis; mucous colitis; nervous indigestion; pylorospasm; spastic colitis; spastic colon

Definition:

A condition of abnormally increased spontaneous movement (motility) of the small and large intestine, generally exacerbated by emotional stress.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a combination of abdominal pain and altered bowel function. The cause is a disturbance in the muscle movement (motility) in the large intestine; however, there is no abnormality in intestinal structure. The condition occurs more frequently in women and usually begins in those between 20 and 30 years old. Predisposing factors may be a low residue diet, emotional stress, bowel consciousness, and use of laxatives. The incidence is 5 out of 1000 people.