The physician thinks a teenager is having clinical manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome. Which of the following complaints would support this diagnosis? Select all that apply

Question

A) Pain is relieved by defecation.
B) Pain is most severe at night.
C) Pain is worse after and between meals.
D) Pain is described as "cramping" in the lower abdomen.
E) Belching makes the pains go away.

Answer 1

Ans: A, D
Feedback:
A hallmark of irritable bowel syndrome is abdominal pain that is relieved by defecation and associated with a change in consistency or frequency of stools. Irritable bowel disease is characterized by persistent or recurrent symptoms of abdominal pain, altered bowel function, and varying complaints of flatulence, bloating, nausea and anorexia, constipation or diarrhea, and anxiety or depression. Abdominal pain usually is intermittent, is described as cramping in the lower abdomen, and does not usually occur at night or interfere with sleep. Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by blood in stool. Peptic ulceration pain occurs when the stomach is empty.