Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, characterized by chronic GI symptoms including abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of any organic or biochemical pathology. Despite intense research done over the last few years on functional GI disorders, in particular IBS, their pathophysiology continues to be debatable. However, most experts argue for a multifactorial etiology of these disorders, with stress and visceral hypersensitivity playing prime roles in their development.1-4 In general, IBS is well recognized for its consortium of symptoms including abdominal pain and alterations in the pattern of defecation in term of stool consistency and/or frequency (Box 1). Although the condition is not life threatening; its symptoms are bothersome and painful. The intensity and frequency of these symptoms usually vary among patients. This variation in clinical presentation, together with the fact that many patients with IBS do not seek medical opinion, suggests that patients with symptoms related to IBS should be identified early and treated appropriately.