Other symptoms such as abdominal pain are important here, and are closely associated with motility disorders in practice. Hence motility disorders can truly be considered as 'functional' disorders.IBS is still frequently considered as a motility disorder, and drugs that modulate motility can be helpful in selected patients.3 Consider employing loperamide to control increased stool frequency, and stimulant or osmotic laxatives for constipation predominance. Fibre supplementation is commonly suggested, but may cause excessive bloating from bacterial fermentation and colonic gas production.4 It may be that more patients are worsened than helped!Table 1 Rome II criteria for irritable bowel syndrome2 At least 12 weeks, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding twelve months of abdominal discomfort or pain that has two of the following three features: * Relieved with defaecation and/or * Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool and/or * Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool Supportive symptoms of IBS: * Abnormal frequency (>3 bowel movements per day or <3 bowel movements per week) * Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool) * Abnormal stool passage (straining/urgency/feeling of incomplete emptying of rectum) * Passage of mucus * Bloating/sensation of abdominal distension