Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Symptoms include abdominal pain, distension, wind and flatulence and
diarrhoea/constipation.
The main problem is that the sufferer may experience all or none of these
symptoms at any given time. There is often no obvious reason why the
symptoms flare.
Usually there is an initial trigger for the first episode, such as an
attack of gastro-enteritis, the use of antibiotics, or some significant
life event such as bereavement or other emotional problem.
Conventional medication is aimed at suppressing symptoms and this, combined
with the standard dietary advice involving high fibre intake, can be
unhelpful and may make symptoms worse as well as causing significant
side-effects.
Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The main purpose of investigations in this condition
is to exclude more sinister pathology such as inflammatory bowel disease
or cancer, particularly if there is a history of weight loss or anaemia.
The diagnosis is often made on the history and examination alone in
younger patients; older patients may require tests such as colonoscopy
(examination of the bowel using a fibre-optic telescope) or a barium
enema x-ray. For symptoms higher up the digestive tract a gastroscopy
or barium meal x-ray may also be considered.
Examination of the stools for blood and evidence of infection is also
helpful, particularly if patients have signs of anaemia or there is a
previous history of infection.
Food intolerance testing is usually very helpful in terms of diagnosis
and choosing treatments.
