How is IBS diagnosed?
Most IBS patients will have their health verdict positively confirmed after some times, not the first visit to doctor. This is regrettable and unfortunate. The reasons are simple, that the signs and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are very similar to other diseases. It is difficult for the doctor to diagnose IBS from the onset. For patients that have just experiencing IBS, doctor usually provide the medication to address the immediate illness per se, not one resulting from IBS.
To reasonably conclude the existence of IBS, usually it requires a lengthy examination of the patient’s medical record as well as historical occurrence of these signs and symptoms.
The tests that may be involved through or in any process of the diagnosis may include the following;
- Blood Test
- Colonoscopy
- Stool Analysis
- Endoscopy
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan)
- Lactose Intolerance Test
- Barium Enema
- X-ray
It is beneficial for some self-examinations and keeping a simple record of the daily activities, even mood and food that were consumed. Together with records on the frequency and development of IBS symptoms, it could facilitate in the determination of the root cause, whether it is IBS or not.
