title: Traditional thoughts on the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: The pathogenesis of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is multifactorial and varies from patient to patient. Disturbances of motor function in the small intestine and colon and smooth-muscle dysfunction in other gut and extraintestinal regions are prominent. Abnormalities of sensory function in visceral and somatic structures are detected in most patients with IBS, which may relate to peripheral sensitization or altered central nervous system processing of afferent information. Contributions from psychosocial disturbances are observed in patients from tertiary centers and primary practice. Proof of causation of symptom genesis for most of these factors is limited.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Health System, 3912 Taubman Center, 5362, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. whasler@umich.edu
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hasler
mesh_terms: D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology