Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common types of digestive disorders, characterised by a group of symptoms including changes in bowel habits, constipation and/or diarrhoea, bloating and abdominal pain. While it’s normal to have digestive troubles from time to time, if you’ve been suffering from abdominal pain for at least three days per month for three or more months associated with two or more of these digestive symptoms, IBS is commonly diagnosed.
Common IBS symptoms
Changes in bowel habits are one of the most commonly experienced symptoms in IBS. Some people suffer from constipation (less than three bowel movements weekly) or diarrhoea (loose stools several times a day), and some people alternate between the two. There may also be changes in stool colours observed and mucous may be evident. People with IBS also commonly complain of excess flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain. These digestive symptoms are often relieved by going to the bathroom for a few consecutive days.
There are three main subtypes of IBS:
• IBS-D: IBS with predominant diarrhoea.
• IBS-C: IBS with predominant constipation.
• IBS-M: A mixed type of IBS with irregular bowel patterns that alternate between constipation and diarrhoea.
IBS sufferers can also experience a variety of other symptoms, including nausea, heartburn, burping, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, feeling full easily and a loss of appetite. Depression, anxiety, sleep issues and fatigue are also commonly associated with IBS.
Diagnosing IBS
Diagnosing IBS and finding the root cause of your digestive complaints can sometimes be difficult. There is no pathology test that can confirm if someone has IBS or not. Diagnosis of IBS can be made by observing symptoms and via a process of elimination.
It’s important to first rule out any digestive disorders such as IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or any physical blockages of the colon.
There are a number of tests your doctor may order to help determine the cause or factors contributing to your IBS symptoms. These include a full blood test, C-reactive protein tests for infections and inflammation in the body, an iron study and tests for liver function, vitamin B12 and gliadin antibodies (used to help diagnose coeliac disease). A RAST (radioallergosorbent) test or an IgE + IgG (immunoglobulin E and G) test will identify any food allergies and intolerances.
Some stress management strategies that can be effective for easing IBS symptoms include meditation, yoga, mindfulness, exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy.
A complete digestive stool analysis is useful to identify an imbalanced gut microbiome and the presence of any pathogenic bacteria and parasites. A breath test is used to detect SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and lactose and fructose malabsorption, and an intestinal permeability urine test assesses if there is any
