IBS symptoms include abdominal discomfort or pain, excess gas, bloating, and distention. Bowel habits for people with IBS can be diarrhea predominant (IBS-D), constipation predominant (IBS-C) or mixed.
In the old days, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was a diagnosis of exclusion. Because there is no single reliable diagnostic test for IBS, patients with gastrointestinal symptoms would often have a whole series of tests and procedures to rule out other illnesses or conditions; if no medical explanation for the symptoms was found, the patient would be sent home with a diagnosis of IBS. This is still common practice in the clinical setting, and it makes sense to a point. Naturally, your doctor wants to make sure he or she does not miss another treatable diagnosis, particularly if alarm symptoms are present.
“So-called alarm symptoms suggest a more thorough workup is needed before a diagnosis of IBS can be assigned: Fever; passing blood; anemia or other abnormal labs; lack of appetite; unintentional weight loss; malnutrition; symptoms waking you from sleep; family history of colon cancer, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis; onset after age 50; palpable mass; sudden onset of persistent diarrhea. Discuss these with your health care provider, if present.”
Times have changed
Today, in the absence of alarm symptoms, your doctor might be able to diagnose IBS based on your medical history and some basic blood and stool tests, without further procedure. This is a growing trend, based on the latest practice guidelines for physicians. At a minimum, it is good medical practice to screen patients with gastrointestinal symptoms for celiac disease (usually a blood test) and inflammation (stool and blood tests).
It is important not to diagnose yourself with IBS. Start with your primary care provider (PCP) to discuss your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. If necessary, your PCP will refer you to a gastroenterologist. Women should also be evaluated to make sure abdominal symptoms are not related to gynecological problems or ovarian cancer. See your dietitian to discuss nutrition therapy for your condition.
“I already dropped the belly bloat and feel way more energetic, able to go for long walks with no bathroom breaks now!”
“[The IBS Elimination Diet and Cookbook is a] straight forward explanation of the way a Fodmap diet should be followed and how to get there. Way better explanation than what was handed to me by my gastroenterologist. Written for the lay person in a logical manner with references to the science behind the diet.”