Understanding and Controlling the Irritable Bowel

Magdy El-Salhy is Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the School of Medicine, University of Bergen and is a consultant gastroenterologist at Stord Hospital, Norway. Professor El-Salhy's research field for the last 40 years has been the neuroendocrine system of the gastrointestinal tract, from basic science to clinical applications. During the last 10 years he has focused his research on irritable bowel syndrome. Jan Gunnar Hatlebakk is a consultant gastroenterologist at Haukeland University Hospital, Professor of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Nutrition at University of Bergen Medical School, Norway, and head of the National Center for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Professor Hatlebakk’s research interests have included functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as gastroesophageal reflux and gastrointestinal motility disorders. Trygve Hausken is Professor of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and head of the gastroenterology section as well as a consultant gastroenterologist at Haukeland University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway. He completed his PhD (Medicine) in 1992 and has been a specialist in gastroenterology at Haukeland University Hospital since 1989.

1. Irritable bowel syndrome: what is it?.- 2. The digestive tract and how it works.- 3. The cause of irritable bowel syndrome.- 4. How is irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed?.- 5. Treatment options without medication.- 6. Treatment options involving medication.- 7. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.