IBS is a disease with specific criteria called the Rome Criteria than presents with unusual and discomforting bowel habits that may involve either or both of constipation and diarrhoea. Other symptoms include abdominal distension,pain and alteration in stool consistency when symptoms appear.\u00a0 Symptoms importantly seem to improve after passing stools.<\/p>\n
The symptoms are often for a protracted period of time and affect the patient\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n
IBS as a diagnosis often requires exclusion of other possible more sinister diseases by some blood testing and stool testing and potentially endoscopic procedures depending on the patient profile.<\/p>\n
Treatment involves medication to control the predominant symptom of diarrhoea or constipation as well as pain and bloating and associated anxiety and alteration of the diet to remove possible triggers.<\/p>\n