Anti-microbial for the Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Abstract

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (ibs) is a chronic functional disorder of the digestive tract which courses with discomfort or abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, bloating and other intestinal symptoms. Although a unique cause of ibs is unknown, recently it has been emphasized the participation of the bacteria in its pathophysiology, especially by the presentation of the ibs after gastrointestinal infections. The presence of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine and changes of the intestinal micro-biota may cause intestinal micro-inflammation, alterations of intestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity and excessive production of gas, which would be the cause of the symptoms. A longer clinical response after the use of non absorbable antibiotics of wide spectrum, especially rifaximina, supports the concept and provides an additional treatment for many patients.