difficulties in irritable bowel syndrome: disease definition, epidemiology, pain management and treatment

The diagnosis and definition of irritable bowel syndrome are problematic. however, its existence as a disease entity has been recognized for at least a thousand years with both rhazes and avicenna discussing its constellation of symptoms. in recent times, attention has focused on the symptoms and symptom durations critical to the diagnosis. this work has been encapsulated in the reports of the rome foundation. the difficulties in disease definition have led to wide variations between reports on the condition’s prevalence in both within and between countries. nevertheless, it is clear that irritable bowel syndrome is common across all societies. it is consequently of concern that allopathic medications are of limited benefit, particularly in the management of pain, and this has generated a growing interest in traditional therapies as well as hypnotherapy and acupuncture. this review touches on these issues and will hopefully stimulate further research.