Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine. It is a functional disorder, meaning it affects how the gut works without causing structural damage. While IBS can cause uncomfortable symptoms, it does not lead to tissue damage or increase the risk of more serious conditions like colon cancer. Attempting to self-diagnose IBS is generally not advisable, as a professional evaluation is often necessary to differentiate it from other conditions.
Common IBS Symptoms
IBS symptoms are often chronic and fluctuate in intensity. Abdominal pain or cramping is a primary symptom, frequently related to bowel movements. This discomfort may include sharp pain, bloating, or a feeling of fullness.
Changes in bowel habits are common, presenting as diarrhea, constipation, or alternating periods of both. People with IBS might experience excess gas and bloating, and a sense of incomplete bowel emptying. Mucus in the stool and an urgent need to have a bowel movement are additional symptoms.
Why Self-Diagnosis Is Not Recommended
Self-diagnosing IBS can be problematic because its symptoms overlap significantly with those of other, more serious gastrointestinal conditions. Conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and certain cancers, can present with similar abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and bloating. Unlike IBS, IBD involves inflammation and can lead to intestinal damage and increased cancer risk.
Differentiating IBS from these conditions based solely on symptoms is challenging and can delay appropriate treatment for an underlying issue. Celiac disease, for example, is an autoimmune reaction to gluten that damages the small intestines. Diverticulitis, an infection of the digestive tract, shares symptoms like pain and changes in bowel habits but may also involve fever and rectal bleeding. Relying on self-diagnosis risks misattributing symptoms of a serious condition to IBS, potentially leading to worse health outcomes.
How IBS Is Professionally Diagnosed
A healthcare professional typically begins the diagnostic process for IBS with a thorough medical history and a physical examination. The doctor will inquire about the nature, frequency, and duration of symptoms, as well as their relation to bowel movements. They will also check for any physical signs such as lumps or swelling in the abdomen.
While there is no single definitive test for IBS, healthcare providers utilize diagnostic criteria, such as the Rome IV criteria, to identify symptom patterns consistent with the disorder. These criteria specify recurrent abdominal pain occurring at least one day per week for the last three months, associated with changes in stool frequency or appearance. Diagnostic tests, including blood tests, stool tests, and sometimes imaging procedures like colonoscopies, are primarily used to rule out other conditions that mimic IBS symptoms, such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, infections, or structural issues, rather than to confirm IBS itself.
Urgent Reasons to See a Doctor
Certain symptoms are considered “red flags” and warrant immediate medical attention, as they are not typical of IBS and could indicate a more serious underlying condition. Unexplained weight loss is one such symptom, which is not usually associated with IBS. The presence of blood in the stool, whether visible or occult, also requires urgent evaluation.
Other concerning signs include nocturnal symptoms, such as waking up due to diarrhea or abdominal pain, as IBS symptoms typically do not disrupt sleep. Severe or worsening abdominal pain, fever, and iron deficiency anemia are additional red flags that should prompt a doctor’s visit. New onset of symptoms in older adults also requires a professional medical assessment to rule out other conditions.