Frequent Gastro-Intestinal Disorders: Management of Functional Dyspepsia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Clinical Practice

Abstract

Frequent Gastro-Intestinal Disorders: Management of Functional Dyspepsia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Clinical Practice Abstract: Functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), two common gastrointestinal entities with overlapping symptoms, should be diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria. This includes one or more of the following symptoms: in FD, postprandial fullness, early satiation, epigastric pain or burning; in IBS, recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation, change in frequency of stool or form of stool. To exclude structural diseases, attention should be paid to alarm symptoms. As far as treatment is concerned, a stepwise scheme proves to be effective for both diseases. Step 1: doctor-patient discussion with explanation of diagnosis and prognosis as well as clarification of therapy goals; lifestyle adaptations; use of phytotherapeutics; step 2: symptom-oriented medication: for FD, PPIs or prokinetics; for IBS, antispasmodics, secretagogues, laxatives, bile acid sequestrants, antidiarrheals, antibiotics, probiotics; step 3: visceral analgesics (antidepressants).