Medically Reviewed by: Nicole Anne Vergara, RD
Did you know that about 2,000 patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) have been diagnosed with the condition approximately after 6 years of experiencing various symptoms?
Overall, Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects 5 to 15% of the entire population in the world.
IBS symptoms can resemble those of other GI disorders, making a diagnosis challenging. You can use the questionnaire below to assess whether you need to see a doctor to further investigate your GI problems.
No matter how this self-test turned out; if your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, see a doctor. To effectively treat your pain, it's critical to identify the underlying cause of it.
If you are worried about the digestive issues that you are currently experiencing, but you don't know if you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, this quiz can give you an overview of whether you can have IBS.
IBS Symptoms
Before we start the quiz, we will be talking about the common IBS symptoms that you should be taking note of.
These symptoms may or may not happen to an individual so taking note of all your symptoms can help your physician diagnose your condition more accurately.
Persistent Abdominal Pain
One of the main symptoms of IBS diagnosis is persistent abdominal pain. It was reported that IBS patients experience abdominal pain and discomfort for 3 months or longer.
Taking note of the length and frequency of abdominal pain is important for an accurate diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Irregular Bowel Movements
Having irregular bowel movements can be your predominant symptom of IBS. These inconsistencies may include frequent diarrhea or constipation.
You may be diagnosed with IBS-D for diarrhea as your predominant symptom, IBS-C for constipation, or IBS-M if you have mixed symptoms.
Bloating, Distention, and Excessive Gas
Chronic inflammation in your gastrointestinal system results in bloating, distention, and excessive gas.
Inflammation happens when an individual consumes a certain type of "trigger" food that causes inflammation to the GI's inner lining.
These symptoms may be relieved by over-the-counter medications and home remedies. However, IBS symptoms vary from one person to another. Getting professional medical advice is the best thing to do to make sure you get the treatment that fits your condition.
[Related: How Long Does IBS Last? (Guide to Symptoms, Duration, Treatment)]
Testing for IBS
Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) requires various tests to rule out other conditions. This medical condition mimics other diseases and gut conditions.
Thus, your healthcare provider would recommend you take one or more of these tests:
Breath Test
Breath tests are done to check for any bacterial overgrowth to diagnose IBS.
The overgrowth of bacteria usually happens for people who have undergone bowel surgeries or other diseases that can cause digestion to slow down.
Blood Test
Complete blood screening is usually done to check for the presence of anemia or other abnormalities related to IBS.
This screening can also check for gastrointestinal tract inflammation, tissue damage, or celiac disease.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy utilizes a small and flexible tube with a camera that allows physicians to examine any discrepancies in the colon and GI tract.
Stool Tests
Stools are examined to check for the presence of any parasites and bacteria in your digestive tract.
Lactose Intolerance Test
Individuals with lactose intolerance do not produce enough lactase. Lactase is an enzyme used to digest the sugar from dairy products.
This intolerance can lead to abdominal pain, excessive gas, and diarrhea which are the same symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Anorectal Manometry
Anorectal manometry is a test used to evaluate the function of the anal sphincter muscles and the rectum. It is often used to help diagnose conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The “Do I Have IBS?” Quiz
Disclaimer: This quiz is not considered a medically validated questionnaire. This IBS Quiz may serve as diagnostic criteria to rule out existing digestive issues that may be caused by IBS. Taking laboratory tests recommended by your doctor would serve as the official diagnosis. Other GI symptoms may also be assessed by your health practitioner to check for other underlying medical conditions.
Instructions: Answer the IBS quiz below and count the number of "Yes" answers at the end of the quiz. Explanations regarding the first two questions are given in the results section.
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How old are you?
a. 10-20 years old
b. 20-30 years old
c. 31 - 40 years old
d. 40-50+ years old
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How do you identify yourself?
a. Male
b. Female
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Have you been experiencing abdominal pain or discomfort for at least 3 months?
a. Yes
b. No
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Do you experience bloating?
a. Yes
b. No
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Do you experience abdominal pain for at least 3 days in a week or more?
a. Yes
b. No
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Do you experience diarrhea frequently?
a. Yes
b. No
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Do you experience constipation frequently?
a. Yes
b. No
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Do you experience both diarrhea and constipation at an alternating frequency?
a. Yes
b. No
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Do you experience bloating and excessive gas?
a. Yes
b. No
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When eating certain food items, do you experience abdominal pain?
a. Yes
b. No
What To Do Next?
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Question #1: IBS is usually diagnosed in people who are under the age of 50, but older adults may also be diagnosed with the condition
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Question #2: Women are more prone to IBS and according to a survey conducted by IFFGD, 60 to 65% of IBS patients are females. Males diagnosed with IBS are approximately 35 to 40% of the population.
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Questions #3 to #10: If you have scored 3 or more "Yes" answers, we highly recommend visiting your physician to clinically diagnose IBS and other underlying digestive issues.
Warning Signs of IBS
IBS may manifest in other symptoms that may indicate more serious conditions. Pay a visit to healthcare providers if you have been experiencing these warning signs:
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Persistent changes in bowel habits
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Weight loss
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Rectal bleeding
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Iron deficiency anemia
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Consistent vomiting
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Diarrhea during nighttime
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Constant pain that is not relieved by passing gas or bowel movements
How Can I Manage and Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
After taking the IBS quiz, you might be thinking of confirming it clinically. Your doctors would prescribe medications but the best way to manage your symptoms is through a lifestyle change which mainly includes choosing the right diet for you.
Casa De Sante's Integrated Care Plan would help you manage your IBS symptoms through lifestyle and medical therapies brought by our experienced Registered Dietitians, GI Clinicians, and health coaches.
A holistic wellness and overall health improvement await you today! E-mail us at sales@casadesante.com to know more about our care plans.
Medically Reviewed by:
Onikepe Adegbola MD PhD is a board-certified physician who founded casadesante.com, a digital gut health platform for gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS, IBD, SIBO and celiac disease.
