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IBS Patient’s Guide

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Abstract

In this chapter, we will discuss the role of intestinal microbiota, lifestyle and eating habits in IBS patients. Before pharmacological treatment patients should consider changing lifestyle and diet, as they may be potential triggers for IBS symptoms. We will indicate which daily products are proper and which should be avoided by IBS patients because of exacerbation of disease symptoms. We will shortly describe how to lead healthy life and what the impact of physical activity on IBS symptoms is. We will explain that control, but not treatment, is the key management concept in IBS patients. Finally, we will define psychological aspects of IBS development and how important is to maintain psychological homeostasis. The continuous control of the doctor and regular good contact between the doctor and the patient play an important role in the disease remission.

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Abbreviations

FODMAP:

Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol

GI:

Gastrointestinal

IBS:

Irritable bowel syndrome

IBS-C:

Constipation-predominant-irritable bowel syndrome

IBS-D:

Diarrhea predominant-irritable bowel syndrome

SIBO:

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

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Acknowledgments

Supported by grant from the Medical University of Lodz (#and 502-03/1-156-04/502-14-297) and grants from National Science Centre (#UMO-2013/11/N/NZ7/00724 and UMO-2014/12/T/NZ7/00252). MZ is the recipient of the Polish L’Oréal UNESCO Awards for Women in Science and Polpharma Foundation Scholarship.

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Zielińska, M. (2017). IBS Patient’s Guide. In: Fichna, J. (eds) Introduction to Gastrointestinal Diseases Vol. 1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49016-8_5

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