In medicine, the term functional bowel disorder refers to a group of disorders which are characterised by chronic abdominal complaints without a structural or biochemical cause that could explain symptoms. Functional bowel disorders include, among others:

• Functional dyspepsia
• Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP)
• Chronic abdominal pain
• Functional constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

The Rome process has been pivotal in defining, the functional gastrointestinal disorders. Succesively, the Rome I, Rome II and the Rome III meetings have proposed a consensual classification system and terminology, as recommended by the Rome Coordinating Committee.

External links

• the Rome Process and Criteria, Rome II and III

Gastroenterology | General practice | Ailments of unknown etiology