Do I Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Are you a woman under 50 years old?

Do you have abdominal pain and cramps that usually occur in the lower abdomen or the entire abdomen?

Does the abdominal pain decreases after a bowel movement?

Do you have diarrhea (frequent, loose, watery stools that may contain mucus)?

Do you have sudden, immediate urges to have a bowel movement?

Do you have constipation (having less than three bowel movements per week)?

Do you have sensation of incomplete bowel movements after passing stool?

Do you have alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation?

Do you feel bloated and full of gas?

Have you noticed that your symptoms can be triggered by specific types of food such as food containing gluten or lactose, or caffeine?

Do you feel constant fatigue or have sleeping difficulty (having hard time to fall asleep, waking in the middle of the night and feeling tired in the morning)?

Do you feel anxiety or low mood and depression?

Do you have a family history of IBS?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disease characterized by the “malfunction” of the intestines (the intestines do not work normally). There are many conditions that have similar symptoms as IBS. If you have any digestive problems, it is not a good idea to ignore them or wait for them to go away by themselves. Please make an appointment with a GP or a gastroenterologist. The doctor will determine the exact cause of your problems and recommend appropriate therapy.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a chronic disease that affects the digestive system, it is also referred as “nervous colon” and it is a common condition. IBS is a group of symptoms that typically appear together, including abdominal pain and changes in your bowel movements. If your symptoms interfere with the quality of your life, see a doctor, who can help diagnose IBS and recommend treatment. IBS treatment includes lifestyle changes, changes in your diet, exercise, stress management techniques and medications.