Whether your symptoms are recent, or you have been suffering for a long time, specialist healthcare is available to help reduce, or relieve the pain and discomfort you are experiencing.
Diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the first step to getting your health back on track, as well as ruling out other gastroenterological conditions in the process, where similar symptoms apply.
Symptoms are known to come in bouts, also referred to as IBS flare-ups, meaning sometimes you may feel fine for weeks, followed by a period of feeling unwell.
These symptoms can also leave you feeling unwell in general and wider issues can arise, such as:
People that suffer with IBS commonly have bouts of diarrhoea and constipation. Diarrhoea is generally caused when food moves too quickly through your digestive tract and results in the liquid from food not being extracted sufficiently by the body.
The reverse happens with constipation, in that the food moves slowly through the digestive system, and in turn, too much liquid is extracted making stools too hard.
Other thoughts relate to:
Consultation with a specialist that can conduct the necessary diagnosis tests is the first step.
Your specialist will conduct a consultation, examination and direct test of stool, blood, endoscopy or X-rays.
During diagnosis, it is important for the doctor to eliminate the possibility of other conditions with similar symptoms. These could include:
Life style changes, such as:
Medication, including:
There isn’t a one-size fit all with IBS treatment. It is a case of working with your doctor and a registered dietician to find the solution that works best for you.
A consultation with a specialist to discuss the necessary diagnostic tests is the first step.
