eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Gastroenterology

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Follow-up

Author: Mohammad F El-Baba, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Division Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Michigan
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 11, 2009

Follow-up

Prognosis

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder that cannot be cured and usually persists in a waxing and waning fashion. Many children and adolescents who are diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome continue to experience symptoms into adulthood, and many adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome trace their symptoms to childhood. The intensity of pain for a particular patient may vary with time, but the nature of symptoms usually remains unchanged.
  • The quality of life for many patients with irritable bowel syndrome can be enhanced with ongoing education, reassurance, psychosocial support, and appropriate pharmacotherapy when indicated.

Patient Education

  • Educate patients and their families about the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Patients who were given detailed discussions about their diagnosis and treatment were found to have reduced symptom intensity and fewer return visits to physicians.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Esophagus, Stomach, and Intestine Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article, Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
 


More on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Overview: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Follow-up: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Multimedia: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
References
Further Reading
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References

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Keywords

irritable bowel syndrome, mucus colitis, spastic colon, irritable colon, functional bowel disease, IBS, functional gastrointestinal disorders, functional GI disorders, GI motility abnormalities, stomach pain, meal-stimulated pain, diarrhea, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, bladder dysfunction, orthostatic hypertension, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, hysteria, sexual abuse, physical abuse, gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, altered bowel movements, abdominal distension, dysmenorrhea, urinary frequency, arthritis, rectal bleeding, abdominal rigidity, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, treatment, diagnosis

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mohammad F El-Baba, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Division Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Michigan
Mohammad F El-Baba, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Hisham Nazer, MB, BCh, FRCP, DCh, DTM&H, Professor of Pediatrics, Consultant in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Nutrition, Bushnaq Medical Centre, University of Jordan
Hisham Nazer, MB, BCh, FRCP, DCh, DTM&H is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

David A Piccoli, MD, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
David A Piccoli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF, Professor of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Downstate, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center
Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physician Executives, American Gastroenterological Association, American Pediatric Society, Gastroenterology Research Group, New York Academy of Medicine, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: TAP Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Curemark, LLC Consulting fee Board membership; Centocor, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Chief Editor

Carmen Cuffari, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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