| -Taking The "Irritable" Out Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome- |
How Is IBS Diagnosed?
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IBS is primarily diagnosed based on the symptoms you are having (see Rome II Criteria), but your doctor may want to do procedures such as colonoscopy, barium enema, or blood tests to rule out any serious diseases. |
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ROME II SYMPTOM CRITERIA FOR IBS:
At least 12 weeks or more, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding 12 months of abdominal discomfort or pain that has two out of three features: |
| 1. | Relieved with defecation; and/or | | 2. | Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool; and/or | | 3. | Onset associated with a change in form (appearance)
of stool. |
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| Other symptoms that are not essential but
support the diagnosis of IBS:
• | Abnormal stool frequency (greater than 3 bowel movements/day or less than 3 bowel movements/week); | | • | Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool); | | • | Abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete evacuation); | | • | Passage of mucus; | | • | Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension. |
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| Source: http://www.iffgd.org
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