ABSTRACT
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that contributes substantially to health care costs. Historically, because the cause is not known and no curative therapy is available, IBS has been managed symptomatically. Recent discoveries in the physiology of the enteric nervous system, the gut-brain axis, and the intestinal flora have led to the development of therapies targeted at potential pathophysiologic mechanisms of IBS. In addition, the role of psychologic issues has been well recognized, and therapy directed at behavioral intervention has been used more extensively than in the past. The overall goal is to improve the patient’s symptoms and overall quality of life and, ideally, to prevent the suffering that patients experience.
