[Irritable colon syndrome].

The irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most frequent diseases which could be observed in a gastroenterologic practice. The knowledge of its symptoms allows a preliminary diagnosis (working diagnosis) which must be secured by an extensive exclusion diagnosis if there is no improvement of the complaints within 2-3 weeks or if the symptoms like blood in the faeces, increasing fatigue, elevated sedimentation rate and so on will be developed. The foundation of the treatment are a conversation in detail with the patient, a high residue diet, sufficient bodily conditioning, massage of the large bowel, and gifts of anticholinergics.