There are many diseases which can easily be confused for IBS. Always consult your physician for a proper diagnosis of your symptoms. This diagnosis criteria is not intended for you to diagnosis yourself. Only your doctor can make that diagnosis.

In 1978 Manning et al., found, from questionnaire data, that IBS sufferers reported four common symptoms. The Manning Criteria was established to distinguish organic causes for symptoms from those of IBS. In 1992 the Rome I Criteria was established by a multinational committee of specialists, which further refined the Manning Criteria. In 1998 the Rome Working Team proposed changes to the definition and diagnostic criteria for IBS to reflect new research data, and to improve clarity. They produced the Rome II Criteria. In 2006 this was further defined by the expanded Rome Working Team into what is now known as the Rome III Criteria.

The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome has relied on a diagnosis of exclusion. Because the symptoms of IBS share the symptoms of so many other intestinal illnesses, it sometimes takes years before a correct diagnosis is made to exclude the obvious, and not so obvious, conditions which present symptoms similar to IBS.

Physicians rely on a variety of procedures and laboratory tests to confirm a diagnosis. The Rome II Criteria, however now defines markers which allows professionals to diagnose IBS after a careful examination of a sufferers medical history and physical abdominal examination which looks for any 'red flag' symptoms.

Red Flag symptoms which are NOT typical of IBS:

• Pain that awakens/interferes with sleep
• Diarrhea that awakens/interferes with sleep
• Blood in your stool (visible or occult)
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Abnormal physical examination