title: Irritable bowel syndrome: causes and treatment.
abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common health care problem worldwide. In the United States and Northern European countries, more women than men seek health care services for IBS. Nurses are often called on to help women with IBS manage their symptoms. This article reviews the literature related to gender differences in diagnosis, symptoms (gastrointestinal, somatic, and disturbed sleep), and physiologic and psychological factors as well as current pharmacologic therapies used in the management of IBS.
authors.affiliation: Center for Women's Health Research, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heitkemper
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jarrett
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011949:Receptors, Cholecystokinin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012307:Risk Factors; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D011949:Receptors, Cholecystokinin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists