The irritable colon syndrome.

THE IRRITABLE colon is a symptom complex rather than a pathological entity and may be merely one manifestation of a more generalized muscular disorder of the gastro-intestinal tract. The syndrome masquerades under a variety of names such as spastic colon, irritable bowel, mucous colitis, functional bowel disorder, etc., but possibly 'irritable colon' is the most valid description. The condition is very common although a firm diagnosis is made less frequently than it ought, possibly on account of the absence of definitive pathological criteria. Some gastroenterologists regard it as the most common gastro-intestinal complaint and it is a source of considerable morbidity in the community. While most sufferers can live tolerably comfortably, there is a minority which in absolute terms represents a large number of persons, in whom symptoms result in a serious disruption of social and business life. The social consequences are greatly magnified in areas where dysentery is endemic and a postdysenteric irritable bowel is an extremely common chronic complaint.