| If you have irritable bowel syndrome, the signs | | | | help you to avoid possible complications from |
| and symptoms may vary greatly from one | | | | symptoms such as chronic diarrhea. |
| person to the next. These symptoms may often | | | | IBS Screening and diagnosis |
| mimic those of other diseases. The most | | | | In order to come to the conclusion that you have |
| common symptoms are: | | | | IBS, it is very important to have a |
| Â- Cramping or abdominal pain | | | | comprehensive physical examination as well as a |
| Â- Feeling bloated | | | | complete medical history. |
| Â- Gas | | | | Criteria for making a diagnosis |
| Â- Constipation or diarrhea - one can | | | | Usually there are no physical signs to definitely |
| sometimes have alternating bouts of both | | | | indicate that a person has irritable bowel |
| Â- Mucus in the stool | | | | syndrome. Therefore, the diagnosis of IBS |
| Sometimes you may have only mild symptoms | | | | becomes a process of elimination. To help with |
| of IBS. At other times, they can be quite disabling | | | | this process, a diagnostic criteria has been |
| for people. Sometimes these signs and symptoms | | | | developed by researchers known as Rome |
| will not respond well to medical treatment. It may | | | | criteria that is use to diagnose IBS along with |
| happen that symptoms of IBS will be present | | | | other functional gastrointestinal disorders. These |
| with other diseases. Therefore, it is best to | | | | are conditions that are characterized by an |
| consult your doctor about your concerns. | | | | abnormality in bowel function but normal bowel |
| For most people, irritable bowel syndrome is a | | | | appearance. |
| chronic condition. However, there may be periods | | | | You should have certain symptoms and signs |
| when your signs and symptoms are quite bad and | | | | according to these criteria before your doctor will |
| even times when your symptoms seem to | | | | diagnose you with IBS. The most important of |
| improve dramatically or disappear altogether. | | | | these symptoms are discomfort and abdominal |
| When to seek medical advice | | | | pain that lasts for approximately twelve weeks. |
| Approximately one in five adults who live in the | | | | However, these weeks do not have to occur |
| United States has signs and symptoms of IBS. | | | | consecutively. Two of the other symptoms must |
| Less than half of these seek any kind of medical | | | | also be present: |
| help. If you happen to have a constant change in | | | | Â- Change in the consistency or frequency |
| your bowel habits or if you have other | | | | of your stools. |
| symptoms or signs of irritable bowel syndrome, it | | | | Â- Urgency, straining or feeling that you |
| is important that you seek the help of your | | | | are not able to empty your bowels completely. |
| physician because such symptoms may indicate | | | | Â- Abdominal distention or bloating |
| that you have a more serious underlying condition | | | | Â- Mucus in the stool |
| such as colon cancer. | | | | If you happen to fit the IBS criteria but you do |
| Your doctor might find ways to help you obtain | | | | not seem to have any of the red flag symptoms |
| relief from your symptoms as well as eliminate | | | | or signs, then your doctor may prescribe a |
| some of the other more serious conditions of the | | | | course of treatment with your having to undergo |
| colon such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis | | | | any additional testing. |
| as well as colon cancer. Your doctor may also | | | | |