Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Diagnosis

To determine what is causing your symptoms, your doctor will start with a medical history. Since there are no definite physical signs of IBS in the colon, your doctor will make a diagnosis based solely on your description of symptoms rather than through examinations, x-rays, or blood tests. If you experience at least three months of constant or recurrent abdominal pain and discomfort that is relieved by a bowel movement, in addition to changes in frequency or consistency of stool, you fulfill the criteria for IBS. Though physical exams usually are not very revealing, your abdomen may be swollen and feel tender when touched.

Diagnostic tests may be used to rule out other illnesses. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation can signal an array of conditions. Therefore, your doctor may wish to obtain a stool sample to check for a thyroid problem, hidden blood that could indicate colon cancer, or evidence of another medical problem. He or she may order a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to look for signs of inflammatory bowel disease or intestinal cancer. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are tests in which a thin flexible tube is inserted into the rectum and used to inspect the inner lining of part or all of the bowel.

Prevention and Screening

While there is no way to prevent IBS, symptoms can be managed with the self-care measures described below.