As afunctional gastrointestinal disorder, there isn’t any identified structural or tissue problem.
Rather, IBS is a problem of function, specifically of bowel function.
By doing so, your IBS diagnosis is more conclusive.
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Keep track of what you eat and when, and how your body responds.
Additionally, record when you have pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
You may also want to record stressors, because of the connection of the gut with your brain.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
You should log any other symptoms you experience like bloating, flatulence (gas), and acid reflux.
The information you record might help your provider to make a diagnosis.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Certain “alarm features” need more testing to rule out more serious problems.
This would also allow patients to start appropriate treatment as soon as possible, increasing patient satisfaction.
Subtypes of IBS
Traditionally, IBS is divided into diarrhea, constipation, or alternating subtypes.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with normal bowel movements on some days.
Meanwhile,IBD(Crohn’s disease andulcerative colitis) andcolon cancercan also share some symptoms.
People with IBS usually do not have rectal bleeding unless it is fromhemorrhoids.
Dietary management is a large part of IBS treatment.
A low-FODMAP diet is a process for identifying a person’s trigger foods so they can be avoided.
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