Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Known Symptoms

Common symptoms:
- Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort relieved by defecation.
- Altered stool frequency or form (e.g., loose/watery or hard/lumpy stools).
- Bloating, distension, and mucus in stool.
Subtypes: IBS-D (diarrhoea-predominant), IBS-C (constipation-predominant), IBS-M (mixed).
Red-flag symptoms (suggestive of organic disease):
- Unintended weight loss, nocturnal symptoms, fever, rectal bleeding, anaemia, family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

Known Causes

Reduced quality of life: Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, social and occupational impairment.
Nutritional deficiencies (if dietary restrictions are overly stringent).
Unnecessary procedures due to misdiagnosis or overlapping symptoms.

Care

Prevention: No known prevention; stress management and healthy diet may reduce flare-ups.
Follow-up:
- Regular monitoring of symptoms and treatment response.
- Reassessment if new alarm features develop or symptoms change significantly.
- Long-term focus on symptom control and quality of life rather than cure.

Known Symptoms

Common symptoms:
- Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort relieved by defecation.
- Altered stool frequency or form (e.g., loose/watery or hard/lumpy stools).
- Bloating, distension, and mucus in stool.
Subtypes: IBS-D (diarrhoea-predominant), IBS-C (constipation-predominant), IBS-M (mixed).
Red-flag symptoms (suggestive of organic disease):
- Unintended weight loss, nocturnal symptoms, fever, rectal bleeding, anaemia, family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

Known Causes

Care

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Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Our Gastrosciences service diagnoses and treats conditions of the digestive system such as the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas and bile ducts. Our team of gastroenterologists, hepatologists and specialist nurses use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to give precise care. POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) treats oesophageal motility disorders, ESD to remove early tumours without open surgery, ERCP and SpyGlass for bile-duct problems, EndoVAC for closing leaks, STER for subepithelial tumours, and capsule endoscopy to image the small intestine. We also perform diagnostics and therapeutic endoscopy (OGD, colonoscopy, EUS, manometry, pH studies) and offer stenting, polypectomy, dilation, variceal therapy and biliary drainage as needed. In addition, age appropriate diagnostics and transplant-linked care are provided with dietitians and psychological support built into long-term plans.

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