Irritable bowel syndrome following gastroenteritis may last 4+ years in around half of those affected

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habit—may last 4 or more years following a bout of gastroenteritis in around half of those affected, finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published online in the journal Gut. Aggressive and pro-inflammatory bacteria, such as Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, and the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection, SARS-CoV-2, are possible culprits, the findings suggest. IBS and recurrent indigestion of unknown cause (functional dyspepsia), are disorders of the gut-brain axis. Although common worldwide, their causes remain poorly understood, note the researchers. But a sudden bout of gastroenteritis, usually brought Read More