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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis

Irritable bowel syndrome affects about 15 percent of the U.S. population. This disease is known to affect more women than men because of hormonal changes.

  1. Symptoms

    • The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include inconsistency of the stool, diarrhea or constipation, bloated abdomen, and abdominal pains or cramps that can be relieved only by bowel movements. Mucus may also be present in the stool.

    Warning Signs

    • Doctors may suspect you suffer from IBS if you have anemia, a fever, a history of digestive and/or colon-related health problems, or unexplained loss of weight.

    Tests

    • No tests can definitely diagnose IBS. Instead, tests such as a colonoscopy or a CT scan are used to rule out other possible diagnoses that present similar symptoms.

    Research

    • According to AboutIBS.org, researchers are working to identify biological markers that could be identified through blood tests or stool samples to provide a more accurate diagnosis of IBS.

    Misdiagnoses

    • IBS symptoms can sometimes be misdiagnosed or caused by other conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or celiac disease.

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