How do doctors find out if you have IBS?
Although there is no definitive test to diagnose IBS your doctor may first take your history, do the clinical examination or advise some lab tests to properly diagnose the condition. It is important to rule out other similar and more serious conditions such as Crohn’s disease or gluten intolerance (celiac disease).
Your doctor may advise several lab tests, including blood tests and stool tests to check for malabsorption or any underlying infection. Celiac disease is one of the main causes of malabsorption that can cause constant diarrhea. Some other tests recommended by your doctor include;
Imaging tests:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy.
- Colonoscopy.
- X-ray or CT scan.
- This barium test (sometimes called lower GI series).
Laboratory tests:
- Lactose intolerance tests.
- Breath test for bacterial overgrowth.
- Upper endoscopy.
- Stool tests.
- Blood tests.
After ruling out other conditions, your doctor may use one of the following diagnostic criteria to diagnose IBS.
Rome criteria. It includes abdominal discomfort or chronic pain lasting on average between one day in a week to at least three months. Other associated factors along with pain include altered frequency or consistency of the stools.
Manning criteria. It helps your doctor diagnose IBS by focusing on symptomatic ease after passing stools, the frequency of bowel movements, change in the stool consistency and presence of mucus in the stools. The more symptoms you have, the greater the chances are of IBS.
After making a diagnosis, your doctor first determines the type of IBS you are suffering from based on your symptoms and for the sake of treatment. IBS is divided into three types; diarrhea-predominant, constipation-predominant, or mixed (having alternative diarrhea and constipation).
