1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) facts
• What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• What causes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• What are symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• What are the complications of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed?
• How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treated?
• Constipation medications
• Diarrhea medications
• Abdominal pain medications
• Psychotropic drugs
• Psychological treatments
• IBS Diet
• Is there a relationship between IBS and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth?
• What is a reasonable approach to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• What is in the future for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
• Patient Comments: Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diagnosis
• Patient Comments: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Symptoms
• Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Index

The initial approach to IBS-treatment or testing--depends on the patient's symptoms and their duration. If the symptoms clearly fit the definition for IBS and have been present for several years without change, then there is less need for extensive testing to exclude other intestinal and non-intestinal diseases. Rather, treatment that is directed at specific symptoms, as discussed previously, can begin. The role of antibiotics and/or probiotics is currently being studied.

On the other hand, if the symptoms are of recent onset (such as weeks or months), progressively worsening, severe, or associated with "warning" signs, then early testing is appropriate. Warning signs include loss of weight, nighttime awakening, rectal bleeding, and signs of inflammation, such as fever or abdominal tenderness. Testing also is appropriate if, in addition to the symptoms of IBS, there are other prominent symptoms that are not part of IBS (for example, abdominal distention, increased flatus, or vomiting). Finally, testing is warranted if attempts at treating the symptoms of IBS are unsuccessful.

If there are symptoms that suggest non-IBS diseases, tests that are specific for these conditions should be done first. The reason is that if these other tests disclose disease other than IBS, it may not be necessary to do additional testing. Examples of symptoms and possible testing include:

• Vomiting: upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to diagnose inflammatory or obstructing diseases; and gastric emptying studies and/or electrogastrography to diagnose impaired emptying of the stomach.
• Abdominal distention with or without increased flatulence: upper gastrointestinal and small intestinal X-rays to diagnose obstructing diseases; and hydrogen breath testing to diagnose SIBO.
• Constipation without pain: colonoscopy or barium enema to exclude colonic cancer; marker studies to diagnose slow colonic transit; and ano-rectal motility studies to diagnose rectal muscle disorders

For a patient with typical symptoms of IBS who requires testing to exclude other diseases, the testing might reasonably include a standard screening panel of blood tests and stool specimens for examination for parasites, pus, and blood. A plain X-ray of the abdomen may be done during an episode of abdominal pain (to look for intestinal blockage or obstruction). Testing for lactose intolerance or a trial of a strict lactose-free diet should be done. Colonoscopy (and, possibly, esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, or EGD) would be the next test, probably with multiple biopsies of the colon (and stomach and duodenum if EGD is done). Finally, small intestinal X-rays might be done.

If all of the above appropriate testing reveals no disease that could be causing the symptoms, other tests should be considered. These tests include hydrogen breath testing to diagnose SIBO and antro-duodenal and colonic motility studies to diagnose intestinal muscle or nerve disorders. These studies probably should be done at centers that have experience and expertise in diagnosing and treating these diseases.