Some factors can also increase your risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome. They are:
- Age – It is more common in those below 50 years of age.
- Gender – Females are more likely to be affected.
- Family history – If any of your close family members had IBS, you are also quite likely to develop it.
- Mental disorders – Disorders like anxiety and depression may also put you at a higher risk of developing IBS.
If you have irritable bowel syndrome, you are quite likely to exhibit some of the following signs and symptoms.
Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The symptoms of IBS may vary from one individual to another. The most common IBS symptoms include:
- Irregular bowel movements
- Bloating and excess gas
- Abdominal cramps accompanied by pain
- Passing of mucus via the rectum or while passing stool
- Sudden and urgent need to use the loo
Most of these symptoms usually worsen post eating. A flare-up may follow and last for about 2-4 days before the condition begins improving.
Certain symptoms may also affect other body parts and mimic other conditions. Such symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Pain during sex (in women)
- Increased urinary frequency
- Bad breath or halitosis
- Joint/muscle aches
- Irregular menstruation
Most of the above symptoms are quite common to both men and women, other than the signs associated with sexual intercourse and menstruation.
If you can relate to the above symptoms, it is better to get yourself tested for IBS to rule out other underlying conditions.
Test For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
There is no specific laboratory or imaging test to diagnose IBS. Your doctor is likely to begin with the analysis of your complete medical history.
This may be followed by a physical examination and tests like a stool test, upper endoscopy, breath test, X-ray, etc. to rule out the possibility of other medical conditions.
Once the other conditions have been ruled out, your doctor may use any of the following diagnostic criteria for IBS:
- Manning Criteria – It focuses on incomplete bowel movements, mucousy stool, changes in the consistency of the stool, and pain that eases upon passing stool. The more symptoms you exhibit, the greater the chances of IBS.
- Rome Criteria – It includes abdominal pain and discomfort that occur on an average of at least once a week in three months. This symptom may be further diagnosed with any two of the following factors – discomfort and pain while passing stool, changes in bowel movements, or changes in the consistency of stool passed.
- Type Of IBS – To prescribe the appropriate treatment, IBS may be classified into any of the three types depending on your symptoms: constipation predominant, diarrhea predominant, and mixed.
There is no IBS cure. The prescribed treatments usually aim at alleviating the symptoms of the condition.
IBS Medical Treatments
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