Dr Charlie Andrews, a GP from Bath and PCSG Committee Member, explores a range of gastroenterology topics from a GPs perspective. The focus of the series covers when to suspect, how to diagnose, when to refer and how to support your patients.
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Dr Charlie Andrews, a GP from Bath and PCSG Committee Member, explores a range of gastroenterology topics from a GPs perspective. The focus of the series covers when to suspect, how to diagnose, when to refer and how to support your patients.
Charlie Andrews talks to Dr Chris Black about the management of IBS.This podcast provides key insights into managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), emphasising a multidisciplinary and individualised approach to care. Here are the main takeaways:1. Multidisciplinary and Integrative CareIBS management requires a holistic, patient-centered approach involving dietitians, behavioral therapists, and gastroenterologists. This "team sport" approach expands treatment options and tailors care to individual patient needs1.
Integrative care, which combines dietary, psychological, and medical interventions, has been shown to improve symptoms, psychological well-being, and quality of life for IBS patients1.2. Personalised TreatmentIBS is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are different subtypes of IBS (e.g., IBS-D for diarrhea-predominant or IBS-C for constipation-predominant), and treatment must be customized based on the patient's symptoms and triggers4.
Emerging research suggests the need to identify distinct subtypes of IBS to guide more effective treatments24.3. Dietary ManagementThe low FODMAP diet is a widely recommended dietary intervention for IBS. It helps identify food triggers and manage symptoms but should not be used long-term without personalization3.
Probiotics may also play a role in symptom relief for some patients, though their effectiveness varies3.4. Behavioral InterventionsCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and gut-directed hypnotherapy are effective in managing IBS symptoms, particularly when patients are motivated to engage in these therapies1.
Stress management is critical since stress and anxiety can exacerbate IBS symptoms15.5. Pharmacological TherapiesMedications are often used as complementary treatments when dietary or behavioral strategies alone are insufficient. These include antispasmodics, laxatives, or medications targeting gut-brain interaction
Ingest
Dr Charlie Andrews, a GP from Bath and PCSG Committee Member, explores a range of gastroenterology topics from a GPs perspective. The focus of the series covers when to suspect, how to diagnose, when to refer and how to support your patients.
