Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diagnosis
Many medical conditions produce symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome. A doctor needs to make sure that another condition is not causing the patient's symptoms. Eliminating other causes usually requires taking a medical history and conducting a general physical examination. Laboratory tests may also be needed. A stool sample can be tested for the presence of blood or parasites that may be causing an infection in the colon.
When other possible causes have been eliminated, a doctor may diagnose IBS. A positive diagnosis is based on a set of standards known as the Rome criteria. According to the Rome criteria an individual must have experienced continuous or recurrent symptoms for a period of three months. The diagnosis may also rate one of three levels for the disorder: mild, moderate, or severe.
About 70 percent of all patients have mild IBS. The symptoms of mild IBS are slight and do not interfere with the patient's daily life. Moderate IBS may interfere with some normal activities. It may also cause the patient some psychological problems. This level of IBS is seen in about 25 percent of all patients. Severe IBS causes a severe disruption of a patient's life. In some cases, patients suffer constant and intense pain. They usually cannot live normal lives or hold regular jobs. About 5 percent of all patients with IBS have this form of the disorder.
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