IBS Home

IBS can be diagnosed by a doctor who will make an assessment from your symptoms. There may be medical tests performed to ensure that you are not suffering from another disease, as there are some gut diseases which mimic the symptoms of IBS.
IBS is a functional disorder rather than a disease, meaning that the bowel does not work properly. Due to IBS the nerves and muscles in the bowel become extra sensitive and contract when you eat.
The contractions can cause cramping and often diarrhoea after eating. The nerves may become over sensitive to the bowel stretching due to reasons such as gas and cramping, pain is usually a consequence of this. Although IBS is painful, it does not damage the bowel or cause any other diseases.
Medical tests for IBS include a physical examination. Blood tests, an X-ray of the bowel known as a barium enema or lower gastrointestinal series (GI). The Barium consists of a thick liquid that make the bowel more visible during an X-ray. The Barium will be inserted into the bowel via the anus before the X-ray is performed.
An endoscopy is where a thin tube with a camera in it is inserted into the bowel so the doctor can view the inside of the bowel for any problems you may have.
Although there is no cure for IBS, certain things can be done to relieve the symptoms. Treatment may include dietary changes, medicines or forms of stress relief. Your doctor may advise you to try a combination of treatments to see which works best for you.
Dietary changes
Certain foods such as fatty foods (French fries), milk products, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks and chocolate can make IBS worse. Foods that cause IBS should be avoided and a food diary kept so you can ensure you know all the foods which cause your IBS to flare up.

You should discuss the foods that you believe cause the symptoms with your doctor or a dietician who will give you the advice you need to keep your IBS flare ups to a minimum.

Please click on List of IBS Details to read about many different aspects of IBS.