It's named after Dr Saad Habba, who first described it in a scientific publication in 2000. Of course, the syndrome is not new, but it has been often misdiagnosed before Dr Habba identified properly the symptoms and a course of treatment to correctly deal with it. It's characterized by chronic diarrhea, which may or may not be associated with cramping. Mostly diarrhea occurrs after eating meals. Patients affected by Habba Syndrome, find it truly embarassing, not being able to control bowel movements. Fasting is for them, the only way to alleviate a little the symptoms. Not only the fasting but also the loss of important nutrients through the diarrhea are also cause of fatigue and impediment to living a normal, healthy life.
It's often misdiagnosed and confused with IBS-Irritable Bowel Syndrome: However, patients affected by Habba Syndrome do not respond to IBS treatments. Indeed the causes are different, since Habba Syndrome is due to a dysfunction in the gall-bladder which produces bile in abnormal amount. Dr. Habba, in his initial studies, observed that the symptoms experienced by some of his patients mimicked those experienced by patients who had their gall bladder removed. In any case they all responded to medications effective in lowering cholesterol levels.
American College of Gastroenterology Journal, vol. 95, No. 8, Page 2140, “Chronic Diarrhea, Identifying a New Syndrome” by Saad F. Habba, August 2000.
