Common Symptoms In Diagnosing IBS

IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a gastrointestinal affliction. It affects about 15 to 25 percent of people. It is a chronic condition affecting the small or the large bowels. IBS can cause different degrees of discomfort and distorted bowel habits. A large amount of patients visit their doctor for gastrointestinal and related complaints, some patients have enormous anxiety regarding factors that cause IBS. Physicians use a confidential diagnosis as an initial and crucial step to provide patients a clear explanation, an effective treatment and therefore reducing the patients’ anxiety. IBS symptoms may be attributed to other factors and conditions in your health and must always be diagnosed by a physician. Patients are usually diagnosed with IBS after exhibiting structural or biochemical abnormalities. Considerations of differential possibilities from the signs and symptoms are observed and given by the patient in order to obtain a positive or negative diagnosis for IBS.

Your doctor will investigate and detail your symptoms and take your health history into consideration and perform a complete physical examination to accurately diagnose the issue. Lab work for blood and stools and endoscopic procedures are also performed to either confirm that it is IBS and to rule out other possible conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.

Adrian Manning and his colleagues developed the symptom criteria that was used in the diagnosis of IBS in 1978 where the key factor is having the patient describe the symptoms they are experiencing. The criteria is composed of 6 symptoms; first is visible abdominal distension; second is relief of pain with or after bowel movement, third is more frequent bowel movement with the onset of pain, fourth is loose stools at onset of pain, fifth is passage of mucus via the rectum, and the sixth is feeling of incomplete evacuation. Patients that experience the first four symptoms are likely to suffer from IBS. The last two symptoms are not typical for IBS as are the first four although the symptoms are present for IBS sufferers. This was known as the Manning Criteria.

Gastroenterologists in Rome held an international consensus meeting in 1988 where they further specified the criteria for IBS and these criteria were revised in 1999 are now called Rome II criteria. The symptoms that cumulatively support the diagnosis of IBS are as follows in the Rome II criteria; first is abnormal stool frequency. Second is abnormal stool form, wherein stool may be lumpy or watery, and a diagnostic aid called Bristol stool form scale or the BSF-Scale is used to classify the stool form into seven groups because the stool’s form depends on the time it spent in the colon and a parallel between the colonic transit time and the BSF type is obtained. Abnormal stool passage is the third criteria, possible straining and urgency and sometimes a feeling of incomplete evacuation. The passage of mucus is the fourth criteria, and bloating or feeling of abdominal distension is the 5th criteria. IBS needs to be correctly diagnosed and confirmed by a doctor.

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Coping with IBS Constipation

Constipation is a common occurrence with many people and for IBS sufferers getting accurate information on their symptoms is a step towards obtaining help in improving the condition. Although it is not known why some develop IBS with constipation and other do not, the constipation can be caused by a sensitive, slow working gastro-intestinal tract, which causes recurring abdominal pain, bloating and constipation. IBS with constipation is a treatable medical condition and you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.

The gastrointestinal tract reacts to the changes in serotonin, which is a natural occurring chemical in the body that plays an important role in making the gastrointestinal tract function normally and while it is not clear why some people develop IBS with constipation while others do not, it is a known fact that it is affected by diet and disease.

Most constipation occurrences are due to insufficient fibre in the diet as well as inadequate consumption of fluids. Fluids and fibre both play an important role in our body functions. Fibre is important as they help to soften the stool, and fluids help to flush stools through the body.

People that are in the 65 and over age range have a tendency to experience more bouts of constipation due to medications, poor diet, and lack of water intake, as well as poor muscle tone. Younger people also suffer from irregular bowel movement, also experience bloating and abdominal pains. People that travel also experience bouts of IBS/constipation as they tend to suppress the urge to go to the bathroom.

For IBS there is no specific cure for the constipation; however there are treatments to assist bowel functions to help them stabilize which helps diminish the cramping which then also lessen the pain. For some the symptoms are temporary and happen occasionally and no treatment may be required. For others who have persistent and chronic symptoms a special course of treatment may be required. Since there is no specific therapy that will resolve all symptoms, a doctor’s visit is necessary to determine the severity and changes that are required to live pain free.

The first step that you can take control of are a few lifestyle changes that will help in the health of the intestinal tract. Eating smaller amounts of food more frequently will help in the digestive process not getting overwhelmed, taking some time to relax, sleep, and exercise and all these changes will enable you to deal with stress a lot better and in turn will help in eliminating the stress to the body.

Fibre in ones diet is also tremendous in helping control IBS with constipation. Dietary fibres add bulk to the stool creating ones that are much larger and softer making bowel movements easier and less painful. Psychotherapy is another tool that can assist as in some IBS cases stress sometimes affects bowel movement and psychotherapy can assist in coping with chronic illness and uncovering emotional triggers that may be present.

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Foods to Avoid for IBS

Below is a list of foods that haven been identified as being the foods that cause the most common symptoms to IBS sufferers such as abdominal pain and discomfort, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating and are on the to avoid list.

Common Foods (to avoid)

• Dairy products (ex. milk and cheese)
• Alcohol
• Beans
• Trans Fats or fried foods
• Caffeinated beverages
• Bagels
• Onions

Keep a journal of the foods you eat and any symptoms that occur that aggravate your system and you will start to notice certain types of foods that either agree or disagree with your system, you can then adjust your diet accordingly. Some foods may have a light symptom and some may present a heavy symptom and can be the difference between an IBS attack or having a slight intolerance to that particular food.

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