In order for anyone to get the correct treatment they need to have the correct diagnosis of the problem. There are many conditions that have similar symptoms. A misdiagnosis will result in the incorrect treatment with possible serious consequences.

IBS can be mistaken for a number of other conditions

1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s
2. Bowel obstruction can be caused by a few conditions eg diabetes
3. Infections of the gut including infestations ie worms
4. Some psychiatric disorder, anxiety or depression
5. Abuse of laxatives
6. Hyperthyroidism (overactive) and hypothyroidism (underactive). The thyroid gland not functioning correctly
7. Rare but possibly fatal cancers of the bowel

The doctor should ask you questions about the symptoms and your medical history.

1. Is there a family history of these symptoms and IBS
2. Is there a history of bowel cancers
3. Is there blood in the stools or bleeding from the rectum
4. What medication you are on
5. Has there been any stressful events lately
6. Your diet

Your doctor will have his own preferred method of diagnosis, but these are the more common ones

1. Blood tests are a standard and will detect a wide range of problems from cancers to thyroid.
2. A stool sample can be used to rule out infections and infestations.
3. If diarrhoea is prominent then lactose intolerance should tested.
4. Endoscopy is used to rule out organic diseases in the upper GIT.
5. A full colonoscopy is generally only done when the other tests indicate a possible more serious problem or you are over 50.

In addition, the doctor will want to review your symptoms

1. Does the abdominal pain improve after a bowel movement or get worse
2. Have the number of bowel movements a day changed?
3. Has the appearance of the stools changed

The diagnosis is also time-dependent

1. The symptoms last for at least a week in the last three months
2. The first time symptoms started was at least six months ago

Once the diagnosis is complete the doctor will start the treatment