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Causes - Diagnosis
An Irritable Bowel Syndrome diagnosis can be determined by a group of symptoms, although the exact causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are not known. Doctors usually do medical tests to make sure you do not have any other disease, but medical tests find no abnormalities that may cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome or explain the symptoms. An Irritable bowel syndrome diagnosis determines that it is a problem that affects the large intestine (bowel), the part of the digestive system that makes and stores stool. Muscle contractions in the bowel wall can cause irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, but generally this is more prevalent and stronger in people with an Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis.
What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Studies have yet to discover any specific cause for Irritable Bowel Syndrome -IBS. One theory is that people who suffer from IBS have a colon (large bowel) that is particularly sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress. The immune system, which fights infection, may also be involved in reacting to itself.
Recent research has reported that serotonin is linked with normal intestinal (GI) functioning. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or chemical, that delivers messages from one part of the body to another. Ninety-five percent of the serotonin in your body is located in the GI tract, and the other 5 percent is found in the brain. Cells that line the inside of the intestine work as transporters and carry the serotonin out of the GI tract. People with IBS, however, have diminished receptor activity, causing abnormal levels of serotonin to exist in the GI tract. As a result, people with IBS experience problems with bowel movement, motility, and sensation—having more sensitive pain receptors in their GI tract.
In addition, people with IBS frequently suffer from depression and anxiety, which can worsen symptoms. Similarly, the symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel can cause a person to feel depressed and anxious.
The following cause IBS Symptoms to become worse:
> large meals
> bloating from gas in the colon
> prescription medicines
> wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products or alcohol
> drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea or colas
> stress, conflict or emotional upsets
Women have more symptoms during their menstrual period, suggesting that reproductive hormones can cause IBS problems to increase.
How is IBS Diagnosed?
If you think you have IBS, it is important to see your physician. Irritable Bowel is generally diagnosed on the basis of a complete medical history that includes a careful description of symptoms and a physical examination. There is no specific test for IBS, although diagnostic tests may be performed to rule out other diseases. If your test results are negative, the physician may diagnose Irritable Bowel based on your symptoms, including how often you have had abdominal pain or discomfort during the past year, when the pain starts and stops in relation to bowel function, and how your bowel frequency and stool consistency have changed.
Many physicians refer to a list of specific symptoms that must be present to make a diagnosis of IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME. Symptoms include abdominal pain or discomfort for at least 12 weeks out of the previous 12 months. These 12 weeks do not have to be consecutive, and the abdominal pain or discomfort has two of the following three features:
> It is relieved by having a bowel movement.
> When it starts, there is a change in how often you have a bowel movement.
> When it starts, there is a change in the form of the stool or the way it looks.
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Certain symptoms must also be present, such as:
> a change in frequency of bowel movements
> a change in appearance of bowel movements
> feelings of an uncontrollable urgency to have a bowel movement
> difficulty or inability to pass stool
> mucus in the stool
> bloating
Bleeding, fever, weight loss and persistent severe pain are not symptoms of IBS and may indicate other problems such as inflammation, or rarely, cancer.
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Associated Conditions 
