IBS identify

[JaneJudithBrown]

How do I identify IBS from something more serious ?

[Luisa22]

I think the best thing you can do is have a chat with your doctor. He/she will run basic stool tests, as a first step, and see if anything shows up (blood for instance, or signs of inflammation. And listen to your description of your symptoms. The doctor will probably also take a blood test.

You might be referred for other tests or scans also.

It's basically impossible to tell if it's IBS or not without tests for any clinical signs of it possibly being something else. Those possibilities have to be eliminated first before an IBS diagnosis.

[xjrs]

In the UK there is a set protocol for diagnosing IBS which can be found here:

nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...

Always best to discuss anything that you are concerned about with your GP so they can run some tests.