Irritable bowel syndrome, or “IBS,” is a condition that causes belly pain and problems with bowel movements. Some people with the condition has frequent, watery bowel movements (diarrhoea). Others do not have enough bowel movements (constipation). Some patients switch back and forth between diarrhoea and constipation.
Symptoms include:
No, there is no specific test. But your doctor can figure out if you have IBS by asking you a few questions, and by running tests to make sure you do not have something other than IBS. Lots of medical conditions can cause the same symptoms as IBS. So, it is important that your doctor checks the other possibilities.
You can:
Medicines can ease the symptoms of IBS. But no treatment can cure the condition. Counselling might also help with IBS, because stress and worry can make the condition worse.
The medicines that can help with IBS symptoms include:
Most people with IBS have the condition for the rest of their life. Even so, most people find ways to improve their symptoms. The key is to keep working with your doctor until the two of you find an approach that works.
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