How Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosed? - Part 1

If you have pain in your abdomen or stomach area that won't go away but is relieved on bowel movement or passing wind, you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS] is made by your medical doctor mainly on the basis of what symptoms you are experiencing. Following this discussion your medical doctor will decide if any further investigation is required. Before you go to see your medical doctor, write out your questions beforehand, so you that have a better chance of leaving the doctor with your questions and concerns answered.

Following on from your story of your symptoms, the doctor may physically examine you. This may be an examination of the stomach area where the doctor will push along the large intestinal wall, to understand how tender the region is. Your doctor may also take your blood pressure or measure your heart rate.

Your doctor may refer you to a Gastroenterologist for a rectal examination. This is where the Gastroenterologist inserts a flexible tube with a light inside it into your rectum. The allows the Gastroenterologist to see the lining of the bowel. The Gastroenterologist may examine part of the colon or the entire length [about 4 feet]. In addition the Gastroenterologist may take a sample of the bowel wall called a biopsy to make sure that the bowel is truly normal. This is one way for example to test for gluten intolerance.

All the best

Alex.


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