Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Diagnosing IBS and The Most Effective IBS Treatment Procedures

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Diagnosing IBS: The Most Common Symptoms

What is IBS?

IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a type of functional gastrointestinal disorder. It affects 10 to 20 percent of people. It is a chronic or long-term condition affecting the small or large bowels. IBS can cause pain and discomfort and distorted bowel habits. A substantial amount of patients visit physicians for gastrointestinal complaints. Some patients have extensive 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 must always be diagnosed by a physician. Patients with IBS are usually diagnosed after exhibiting structural or biochemical abnormalities. Physicians consider the differential possibilities from the signs and symptoms observed and given by the patient in order to obtain a positive or negative diagnosis for IBS.

The foundation of the diagnosis is a detailed history and a complete physical examination of the patient. Laboratory examination of blood and stools and endoscopic procedures are often used to rule out disease. This procedure is essential because the main concern of patients and doctors is to rule out possibilities like inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer. The fact that patients under the age of 40 are easily diagnosed with IBS is significant in identifying symptoms which are usually discovered during history taking and observance of abnormal signs during physical examination of the patient.

The key factor in diagnosing IBS is making the patient describe the symptoms that he or she is experiencing. The symptom criteria for the diagnosis of IBS has been developing since 1978 when a researcher named Adrian Manning and his colleagues proved the usefulness of positive symptoms or Manning criteria to identify patients with IBS from patients with organic diseases. A physician who suspects IBS uses the Manning criteria which are used by many physicians all over the world since 1978 dating back to when the Manning criteria was published.

The Manning criteria is composed of 6 symptoms:

· visible abdominal distention

· relief of pain with or after bowel movement

· more frequent bowel movement with the onset of pain

· loose stools at onset of pain

· passage of mucus via the rectum

· feeling of incomplete evacuation

If a patient experiences the first four symptoms, he or she is likely to suffer from IBS. The last two symptoms are often experienced by IBS patients, though they are not as typical for IBS as the first four.

Then in 1988 gastroenterologists in Rome held an international consensus meeting, they further specified the criteria for IBS. In 1999 these criteria were revised and now called Rome II criteria. At present, they form the standard diagnosis of IBS.

In the Rome II criteria, the symptoms that cumulatively support the diagnosis of IBS are as follows:

· abnormal stool frequency

· 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. A correlation between the colonic transit time and the BSF type is obtained.

· abnormal stool passage, maybe straining, and urgency or there is a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

· the passage of mucus

· bloating or feeling of abdominal distension.

If you suspect you are suffering with IBS, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.

Susan Reynolds has an interest in Health related subjects. To find out how you can get more information on IBS and sign up for a Free Newsletter dedicated to treating IBS please visit her website here.

The Most Effective IBS Treatment Procedures

IBS is short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS includes abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. These symptoms are commonly experienced by almost everyone at some point and that is why they are sometimes taken for granted even when they frequently occur. But recurring symptoms are not normal and they may signal Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS are treatable especially when signs or symptoms are detected early. The diagnosis conducted at present for IBS is currently based on a pattern of symptoms that are sourced from an established criteria, in combination with a detailed history, a physical examination and tests that rule out other identifiable causes.

Primary care practitioners rather than specialists usually treat most patients for mild IBS symptoms since it does not require frequent doctor visits, and usually patients with mild IBS are still capable of living a normal life complete with their usual day-to-day activities. The treatment for IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is geared toward education, reassurance and achievement of a healthier lifestyle even if a patient is undergoing medical treatment.

Drug therapy is ideal for patients with mild to severe symptoms which do not respond favourably to physician counselling and even to dietary changes. Nevertheless, new treatments for IBS have been developed and have shown remarkable capabilities in treating multiple symptoms of IBS.

For most IBS patients the start of successful treatment requires effective diagnosis that begins with the recognition of the validity of symptom complaints. A physician or care provider can help a patient to achieve the best possible results for treating IBS. Moreover, patients should have a close relationship with their doctors and must provide all necessary information that will help in the treatment. And once a diagnosis is made it will be easier to develop a treatment plan that will be an effective cure for symptoms of IBS.

The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome varies from person to person that is why it better to provide custom made treatment plan for each patient since various patients respond in a different way to treatments.

For many people, eating a healthy diet and avoiding foods that trigger symptoms of IBS is a good way to start treatment. Registered dieticians may also help in creating appropriate dietary changes and supplements that are geared to encourage healthy bowel movements.

The effectiveness of a treatment regimen will be judged according to how efficient it has been in controlling as well as eliminating the symptoms of IBS. There are various psychological methods that are used to treat IBS symptoms. These methods have been tested complete with formal research studies, biofeedback, cognitive therapy, psychodynamic therapy and hypnosis treatment. However, it is still not clear which among these treatments have been proven the most effective in treating IBS.

The most effective IBS treatment procedure is one that effectively cures symptoms of IBS without the side effects. But, as different patients respond diversely to treatments it can be a case of trial and error to find the one that suits you best.

If you suspect you are suffering with IBS, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.

Susan Reynolds has an interest in Health related subjects. To find out how you can get more information and sign up for a Free Newsletter dedicated to treating IBS please visit her website here.

Would You Like More Help in Managing Your Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

By now you have likely realized that there is a lot to learn and understand when it comes to dealing with IBS.

This is where a concise and easy to read guide will really make a huge difference in helping you not only to better understand IBS but also manage it more efficiently and achieve better health.

Susan Reynolds has produced a downloadable eBook called “Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Secrets”, and offers clarity about this important health topic.

It provides you with a comprehensive, authoritative look at:

· Taking a positive approach to you IBS

· How your immune system functions

· The benefits of exercise

· The causes of IBS

· How IBS is diagnosed

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Secrets contains advice and information that will help you make the right decisions about IBS.

For instance, you’ll discover how to make:

· Important dietary changes

· Options as to what medications to choose

· Use of effective relaxation techniques

· Biofeedback as an option for successfully managing your IBS

Having this information, and more, will help you deal with your IBS in a proper and effective manner. In addition, if any of your loved ones are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you can use this information to help them achieve a better life also.

To help you in dealing with IBS effectively, Susan Reynolds has also published a downloadable eBook, "Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Secrets". Click the link or eBook for more information on this and to see if it is right for you.

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