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                    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
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        Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
        Definition & Facts
                Symptoms & Causes
                Diagnosis
                Treatment
                Eating, Diet, & Nutrition
                Clinical TrialsDiagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
How do doctors diagnose IBS?
To diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), doctors review your symptoms and medical and family history and perform a physical exam. In some cases, doctors may order tests to rule out other health problems.
Review of your symptoms
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and look for a certain pattern in your symptoms to diagnose IBS. Your doctor may diagnose IBS if you have pain in your abdomen along with two or more of the following symptoms:
Your pain is related to your bowel movements. For example, your pain may improve or get worse after bowel movements.
    You notice a change in how often you have a bowel movement.
    You notice a change in the way your stools look.Your doctor will ask how long you’ve had symptoms. Your doctor may diagnose IBS if
you’ve had symptoms at least once a week in the last 3 months and
    your symptoms first started at least 6 months agoYour doctor may diagnose IBS even if you’ve had symptoms for a shorter length of time. You should talk to your doctor if your symptoms are like the symptoms of IBS.
Doctor reviewing information with a patient.Your doctor will look for a certain pattern in your symptoms to diagnose IBS.Your doctor will also ask about other symptoms. Certain symptoms may suggest that you have another health problem instead of IBS. These symptoms include
anemia
    bleeding from your rectum
    bloody stools or stools that are black and tarry
    weight lossMedical and family history
Your doctor will ask about
a family history of digestive diseases, such as celiac disease, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease
    medicines you take
    recent infections
    stressful events related to the start of your symptoms
    what you eat
    your history of other health problems that are more common in people who have IBSPhysical Exam
During a physical exam, your doctor usually
checks for abdominal bloating
    listens to sounds within your abdomen using a stethoscope
    taps on your abdomen checking for tenderness or painWhat tests do doctors use to diagnose IBS?
In most cases, doctors don’t use tests to diagnose IBS. Your doctor may order blood tests, stool tests, and other tests to check for other health problems.
Blood test
A health care professional will take a blood sample from you and send the sample to a lab. Doctors use blood tests to check for conditions other than IBS, including anemia, infection, and digestive diseases.
Stool test
Your doctor will give you a container for catching and holding a stool sample. You will receive instructions on where to send or take the kit for testing. Doctors use stool tests to check for blood in your stool or other signs of infections or diseases. Your doctor may also check for blood in your stool by examining your rectum during your physical exam.
Other tests
Doctors may perform other tests to rule out health problems that cause symptoms similar to IBS symptoms. Your doctor will decide whether you need other tests based on
blood or stool test results
    whether you have a family history of digestive diseases, such as celiac disease, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease
    whether you have symptoms that could be signs of another condition or diseaseOther tests may include
hydrogen breath test to check for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or problems digesting certain carbohydrates, such as lactose intolerance
    upper GI endoscopy with a biopsy to check for celiac disease
    colonoscopy to check for conditions such as colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease        Last Reviewed November 2017
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                This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.
    The NIDDK would like to thank:
Lin Chang, M.D., David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles Contact Us
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