IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME DIAGNOSIS |
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Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a fairly complex task
because the disorder does not produce changes that can be identified
during a physical examination or by laboratory tests. When Irritable Bowel Syndrome is
suspected, the doctor (who can be either a family doctor or a
specialist) needs to determine whether the patient's symptoms
satisfy the Rome criteria. The doctor must rule out other conditions
that resemble Irritable Bowel Syndrome, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
These disorders are ruled out by questioning the patient about his
or her physical and mental health (the medical history), performing
a physical examination, and ordering laboratory tests. Normally the
patient is asked to provide a stool sample that can be tested for
blood and intestinal parasites. In some cases x rays or an internal
examination of the colon using a flexible instrument inserted
through the anus (a sigmoidoscope or colonoscope) is necessary. The
doctor also may ask the patient to try a lactose-free diet for two
or three weeks to see whether lactose intolerance is causing the
symptoms. |
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| IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME RELATED ITEMS |
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