This article reviews briefly the evidence to support current therapies in irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) and the novel therapeutic approaches on the threshold of clinical
application. Fiber is indicated at a dose of at least 12 grams per day in patients with
constipation-predominant IBS. Loperamide (and probably other opioid agonists) are of
proven benefit in diarrhea-predominant IBS; loperamide may also aid continence by
enhancing resting anal tone, but there is no evidence that it results in pain relief. In general …

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic functional bowel disorder characterized
by abdominal pain or discomfort and alterations in bowel habits. In clinical practice,
diagnosis is based on positive symptoms known as the Rome criteria and limited diagnostic
screen, taking into account warning features suggestive of organic disease. Minimal
diagnostic tests are warranted to rule out structural lesions in a cost-effective manner and to
convince the patient of the diagnosis of IBS. An initial diagnosis of IBS is safe and rarely …