[Irritable bowel syndrome].

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional digestive disorder affecting 4 to 10% of the population, with a female gender predominance. Although it is a benign disease, it can sometimes considerably impair quality of life particularly in severe cases. Diagnosis should be clinical based on symptoms, with limited complementary examinations for the sole purpose of differential diagnosis elimination. A better understanding of IBS mechanisms has led to the development of various therapeutic strategies. Antispasmodics and transit modifiers are the most commonly strategies used. Dietary management with diets, probiotics, physical activity, alternative treatments such as hypnosis and therapeutic education can also improve IBS symptoms and reduce severity.