Medical History and Physical Exam for Irritable Bowel SyndromeExam OverviewMedical and dietary historyTo find out whether your symptoms meet the criteria for diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your doctor may ask you questions about:
The dietary history will include questions about food allergies and whether your symptoms seem to be related to any particular foods. Foods that most commonly cause symptoms include lactose (milk sugar) and sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugarless chewing gum and other sugar-free products. The doctor may suggest that for a period of time you try avoiding foods that seem to cause problems, to see if your symptoms get better. Physical examTo help find out whether you have irritable bowel syndrome, the doctor will perform a standard physical exam, including:
Why It Is DoneA medical history and physical exam are standard tests for people who have belly pain and changes in bowel habits. ResultsKey findings in IBS are belly pain that is relieved with a bowel movement and a change in the consistency or number of times a day or week that you have bowel movements. The pain is not limited to one part of the abdomen. It may move around and may come and go. It often occurs or gets worse when you eat. Stress may also be related to belly pain. The abdomen may be swollen if you have gas in the intestines. Your abdomen may be tender when the doctor presses on it. Abnormal bowel sounds may be heard, especially, but not only, if you have diarrhea. You may report symptoms such as an urgent need to have bowel movements or a feeling that you haven't completely emptied the bowel after you pass a stool. A person who has IBS may have constipation more often, diarrhea more often, or constipation that alternates with diarrhea. All other physical findings should be normal for a diagnosis of IBS. What To Think AboutBecause there is no detectable structural problem that causes IBS, if you have a normal physical exam but you do have symptoms of IBS, this strongly suggests that you have irritable bowel syndrome. If your doctor thinks your symptoms may be caused by another problem, he or she may recommend other tests, such as:
Your doctor may recommend other tests not in this list. But if there are no symptoms (such as anemia, rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhea, fever, weight loss, pain that wakes you at night, or recent change in bowel habits) that suggest other intestinal diseases, few additional tests are needed. If these symptoms are present, tests for other problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease or an ulcer, may be needed. Complete the medical test information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this test. Current as of: May 5, 2017 |
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