Gastrointestinal tract irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that interferes with the normal functions of the colon. At various points in the past, IBS has been referred to as mucous colitis, spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach. IBS is generally described as afunctional disorder rather than a disease per se. A functional disorder involves symptoms that cannot be attributed to a specific injury, infection, or other physical problem. A functional disorder occurs because of altered physiologic processes rather than structural or biochemical defects and may be subject to nervous system influence. IBS is associated with frequent fluctuation in symptoms, loss of productivity, and decreased quality of life. Although IBS has been referred to as functional bowel disease, true functional bowel disease may be more indicative of widespread gastrointestinal involvement including (but not limited to) the colon. 

In the periphery, 5-HT4 receptor mRNA is found in vascular smooth muscle. Newly developed drugs that activate 5-HT4 receptors are of interest for their potential in treating cardiac arrhythmia. The 5-HT4 receptor is also located on neurons of the alimentary tract, for example the myenteric plexus of the ileum, and on smooth muscle cells and secretory cells of the gastrointestinal tract, where they evoke secretions and the peristaltic reflex. 5-HT4 receptor agonists (e.g. cisapride, prucalopride, tegaserod) are used therapeutically in the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and in functional motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract. 

B. Greenwood, Muscarinic analgesics with potent and selective effects on the gastrointestinal tract Potential application for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, J. Med. Chem. 40 (1997) 538-546. 

N.A. Geum urbanum L. Phenolic glycosides (eugenol), tannins, volatile oil, sesquiterpene lactone, cnicin." Treat mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract disorders. For peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndromes. 

Inhibition of 5-HT3 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract results in modulation of visceral afferent pain sensation and intestinal motility. Alosetron is a 5-HT3 antagonist that has been approved for the treatment of patients with severe irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (Figure 63-5). Three other 5-HT3 antagonists (ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron) have been approved for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting (see Antiemetics) however, their efficacy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome has not been determined. The relative differences between these 5-HT3 antagonists that determine their pharmacodynamic effects have not been well studied. 

Dietary fiber is commonly used for the treatment of various maladies of the gastrointestinal tract, such as constipation, diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome. 

Gastroenterology. The study of the gastrointestinal organs and diseases that relate to them. This includes any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus, liver, biliary tract, and the pancreas. Studies in this area include constipation, Crohn s disease, diarrhea, gall bladder disease, heartburn, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, liver disease, stomach cancer, and others. 

In vitro smdies on animal and human subjects regarding the effect of bacosides on gastrointestinal tract showed that they may have a positive effect on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Experiments showed that it has a direct spasmolytic effect on intestinal smooth muscle. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 169 patients with IBS was done for both standard therapy (clidinium bromide, chlordiazepoxide, and psyllium) and Bacopa extract. Subjects were divided into five subgroups based on type of IBS and randomly assigned to standard drug treatment, BME therapy, or placebo for 6 weeks (5 g of each drug administered orally thrice daily). It was exposed that standard drug therapy is better than BME, except in IBS patients with dianhea [52]. 

The European monograph suggests use of the oil, only under the direction of a physician, for bile duct and gallbladder inflammation and gallstones also for spasms of the upper gastrointestinal tract, flatulence, symptomatic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, and catarrh of the respiratory tract. External use includes oral mucosa inflammations, rheumatic conditions, and local muscle and nerve pain, as well as skin conditions such as pruritus and urticaria (escop 3). 

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