An occasional bout with abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation is a common experience for all people. It is also common to view these symptoms as normal, even when they frequently occur. However, chronic and recurring symptoms are not normal. They may signal an irritable bowel syndrome and are often treatable.

For individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, effective diagnosis and treatment starts with the recognition of the validity of symptom complaints. Once a diagnosis is made it is helpful to develop a treatment plan and an outcome goal in an effort to control symptoms. Each individual's symptoms may vary and respond differently to treatment.

The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome currently is based on a pattern of symptoms that fit established criteria, in conjunction with a detailed history, a physical examination, and tests that rule out other identifiable causes.

Mild symptoms affect about 70% of people with irritable bowel syndrome. Mild symptoms occur infrequently, and occasionally interfere with normal daily functioning. Patients with mild irritable bowel syndrome symptoms comprise the most prevalent group, and are usually treated by primary care practitioners, rather than specialists. They do not see a clinician very often, and usually maintain normal daily activities. Treatment is directed toward education, reassurance, achievement of a healthier lifestyle, and occasional medication. Dietary advice may include avoiding offending foods that can trigger symptoms. Fiber supplementation has been shown to be effective for symptoms of constipation.

Moderate symptoms affect about 25% of people with order cialis professional . Your instructor essay writing research paper. . mobile home insurance florida . Scas none Master Papers com research raper paper sample. irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms occur more intensely and frequently, and tend to interfere with daily activities. Severe symptoms affect about 5% of people with irritable bowel syndrome. Severe symptoms are frequent, intense, and chronically interfere with daily functioning. However, these symptoms can often be managed with changes to a healthier lifestyle, or dietary changes such as modifying consumption of foods that seem to influence symptoms.

Several treatment options can be used in conjunction:
1) Use of a diary to help identify factors that aggravate, or bring on or "trigger" symptoms.
2) Investigating and learning stress management, hypnosis, biofeedback, relaxation, or pain management techniques
3) Drug therapy, in consultation with your physician, for treatment of pain (e.g., low-dose antidepressants. These drugs act as pain relievers.

Pharmacologic therapy is best used in irritable bowel syndrome patients with moderate to severe symptoms refractory (which do not respond) to physician counseling and dietary manipulations. First line treatment has traditionally been aimed at treating the most bothersome symptom because of the lack of effective treatment for the overall improvement of multiple symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients. However, new therapies for irritable bowel syndrome have been recently introduced and have been shown to effectively treat multiple symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

For women who have IBS with constipation, the FDA approved the medication tegaserod (Zelnorm) in July 2002. It's approved only for short-term use in women with a number of restrictions, and has not been approved for use in men. Tegaserod imitates the action of the neurotransmitter serotonin and helps to coordinate the nerves and muscles in the intestine.