ABSTRACT
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder, presents with multiple symptoms. This chapter describes the pathophysiology of IBS as well as current treatment options; specifically, nutrition management with a FODMAP elimination diet. It explores implications of the low FODMAP diet in treatment of other gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. IBS is a functional GI disorder that involves abdominal pain and cramping, as well as changes in bowel movements. The majority of patients with IBS report that food triggers symptoms; up to 90% restrict one or more types of food to help alleviate symptoms and symptom severity. The FODMAP diet is a 3-phase diet plan of an initial elimination phase of all high-FODMAP foods for a specific period of time; then “phase 2” with a methodical and gradual reintroduction of eliminated, higher-FODMAP foods to determine tolerance based on symptoms; and finally “phase 3” or the personalization of the diet for each individual.
