The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome relies 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.
Commonly used medical tests can be categorized as follows:
1. Food/Nutrition/Malabsorption:
2. Stool examinations:
3. Radiological procedures:
4. Endoscopic procedures:
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.
Commonly used medical tests can be categorized as follows:
1. Food/Nutrition/Malabsorption:
2. Stool examinations:
3. Radiological procedures:
4. Endoscopic procedures: