Researchers from University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute — both in Australia — believe irritable bowel syndrome is made up of several individual diseases, ABC reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, claims IBS consists of several individual diseases including:
- Genetic predisposition to gut issues
- Developing conditions after a gut infection
- Having a chronic gut infection which causes IBS symptoms
2. Dr. Nicholas Talley, pro vice-chancellor of global research at the University of Newcastle, said several individual diseases can be linked to IBS.
3. Dr. Talley recommends physicians approach IBS on a case-by-case basis, utilizing personalized medicine approaches.
4. Researchers also discovered a link between mental health and IBS. Patients who develop IBS, can also develop serious anxiety. The researchers believe the changes in the gut, cause the changes in the brain.