Frequently-asked questions about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
The symptoms associated with paediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a diminished quality of life for your child. You may have various questions about how this condition can be managed and treated, and leading consultant paediatric gastroenterologist Dr Michael Hii has put together an informative guide to address those concerns.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive system disorder. IBS sufferers have a greater sensitivity to pain and discomfort, and are usually affected by emotions and some food triggers.
How common is it?
Up to a third of the adult, and 5 per cent of children, population experience symptoms of IBS.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Patients with IBS tend to have:
- abdominal discomfort/cramp-like abdominal pain;
- abdominal bloating;
- excessive flatulence;
- altered bowel habits (diarrhoea/constipation).
The stools can have mucous in them, and often they have incomplete defaecation sensation. The abdominal discomfort is sometimes relieved after defaecation. IBS sufferers sometimes can also experience tiredness and nausea.
IBS is sometimes triggered after an episode of gastroenteritis either by virus or bacteria, which is called post-infectious IBS.
Individuals usually experience the symptoms for more than four weeks. It doesn’t cause rectal bleeding or significant bowel inflammation.
How is IBS diagnosed?
In children, an IBS diagnosis should only be made when other medical conditions have been ruled out such as:
- constipation;
- food intolerances/allergies;
- coeliac disease;
- inflammatory bowel disease, and;
- pancreatitis.
How is IBS treated?
IBS sufferers may benefit from an exclusion diet which is called a low-FODMAP diet. FODMAP sugars consist of fructans, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols.
If you’re looking for further information about how IBS in your child can be treated, arrange a consultation with Dr Hii via his Top Doctors profile.