title: Need for a comprehensive medical approach to the neuro-immuno-gastroenterology of irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined by the Rome III criteria as symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort with the onset of a marked change in bowel habits with no evidence of an inflammatory, anatomic, metabolic, or neoplastic process. As such, many clinicians regard IBS as a central nervous system problem of altered pain perception. Here, we review the recent literature and discuss the evidence that supports an organic based model, which views IBS as a complex, heterogeneous, inter-dependent, and multi-variable inflammatory process along the neuronal-gut axis. We delineate the organic pathophysiology of IBS, demonstrate the role of inflammation in IBS, review the possible differences between adult and pediatric IBS, discuss the merits of a comprehensive treatment model as taught by the Institute of Functional Medicine, and describe the potential for future research for this syndrome.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Coleman Pavilion A1121, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. pkatiraei@llu.edu
authors: Pejman
authors: P
authors: Katiraei
authors: Gilberto
authors: G
authors: Bultron
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D005762:Gastroenterology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D012701:Serotonin