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Diagnosis of Irritable bowel syndrome

Diagnostic Test list for Irritable bowel syndrome:

The list of medical tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Irritable bowel syndrome includes:

Irritable bowel syndrome Diagnosis: Book Excerpts

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Irritable bowel syndrome:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: NIDDK (Excerpt)

IBS usually is diagnosed after doctors exclude the presence of disease. To get to that point, the doctor will take a complete medical history that includes a careful description of symptoms. A physical examination and laboratory tests will be done. A stool sample will be tested for evidence of bleeding. The doctor also may do diagnostic procedures such as x-rays or endoscopy (viewing the colon through a flexible tube inserted through the anus) to find out if there is disease. (Source: excerpt from Irritable Bowel Syndrome: NIDDK)

IBS: NIDDK (Excerpt)

The doctor will suspect that you have IBS because of your symptoms. But the doctor may do medical tests to make sure you don't have any other diseases that could cause the symptoms. (Source: excerpt from IBS: NIDDK)

IBS: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Medical tests for IBS

  • Physical exam
  • Blood tests
  • X ray of the bowel: This x-ray test is called a barium enema or lower GI (gastrointestinal) series. Barium is a thick liquid that makes the bowel show up better on the x ray. Before taking the x ray, the doctor will put barium into your bowel through the anus.
  • Endoscopy: The doctor inserts a thin tube into your bowel. The tube has a camera in it, so the doctor can look at the inside of the bowel to check for problems.
(Source: excerpt from IBS: NIDDK)

IBS: NIDDK (Excerpt)

The doctor will diagnose IBS based on your symptoms. You might have some medical tests to rule out other diseases. (Source: excerpt from IBS: NIDDK)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: NWHIC (Excerpt)

IBS usually is diagnosed after bowel disease has been ruled out. Your doctor will probably take a complete medical history, do a physical exam, and check for blood in your stool. Other diagnostic tests such as blood tests, x-rays or a colonoscopy (viewing the colon through a flexible tube inserted through the anus) may be done if needed. (Source: excerpt from Irritable Bowel Syndrome: NWHIC)

Diagnosis of Irritable bowel syndrome: medical news summaries:

The following medical news items are relevant to diagnosis and misdiagnosis issues for Irritable bowel syndrome:

Diagnostic Tests for Irritable bowel syndrome: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about diagnostis of Irritable bowel syndrome.


Irritability: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

  • General/nutritional
    –Colic
    –Teething
    –Malnutrition/hunger
    –Atopic dermatitis
  • Infectious
    –Otitis media
    –Meningitis, encephalitis
    –Stomatitis
    –Gastroenteritis
    –Osteomyelitis, diskitis, septic arthritis
  • Trauma
    –Abuse/shaken-baby syndrome
    –Fracture
    –Hair tourniquet (e.g., on digit or penis)
    –Corneal abrasion or foreign body in eye
  • Gastrointestinal
    –Constipation
    –Gastroesophageal reflux
    –Anal fissures
    –Milk protein allergy, celiac disease
  • Surgical
    –Testicular torsion
    –Incarcerated hernia
    –Intussusception
  • Metabolic
    –Electrolyte disturbances
    –Hypoglycemia
  • Medications/drugs
    –Narcotic withdrawal, fetal alcohol syndrome
    –Medications (e.g., URI preparations)
    –Lead or mercury poisoning
  • Hematologic
    –Leukemia
    –Iron deficiency anemia
    –Sickle cell with vaso-occlusive crisis
  • Cardiac/respiratory
    –Myocarditis, pericarditis, arrhythmias
    –Congestive heart failure
    –Respiratory failure, hypoxia
    –Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Neurological
    –Increased intracranial pressure
    –Subdural hematoma
    –Migraines
  • Other
    –Psychosocial
    –Urinary retention
    –Glaucoma

Workup and Diagnosis

  • History
    –Medications, past medical history
    –Duration of symptoms, time of day child is irritable
    –Anything that makes the irritability better or worse
    –Feeding difficulties
    –History of trauma
    –Associated symptoms (e.g., URI, vomiting, diarrhea)
    –Psychosocial stressors in the family
  • Physical exam
    –Vital signs
    –Signs of abuse or infection
    –Hair tourniquets
    –Fluorescein the eyes for corneal abrasion
  • Labs/studies (based on clinical suspicion)
    –CBC with differential, blood culture, urinalysis and urine culture, lumbar puncture, sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein for infectious cause
    –X-rays for possible fracture
    –Brain MRI or CT scan for tumors or hematomas
    –Bone scan for osteomyelitis and diskitis
    –Joint aspiration and culture for septic arthritis
    –Electrolytes, including glucose
    –Echocardiogram/ECG for cardiac defect
    –Abdominal X-rays or ultrasound for surgical abdomen
    –Air or contrast enema for intussusception
    –Drug screen, lead, or carboxyhemoglobin level
  • Consult ophthalmology to look for retinal hemorrhages in shaken-baby syndrome

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Irritable bowel syndrome: Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Diagnosis of IBS requires a careful history to determine contributing psychological factors such as a recent stressful life change. Diagnosis must also rule out other disorders, such as amebiasis, diverticulitis, colon cancer, and lactose intolerance. Appropriate diagnostic procedures include sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, barium enema, rectal biopsy, and stool examination for blood, parasites, and bacteria.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Inactive colon: Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

A patient history of dry, hard, infrequent stools suggests inactive colon. A digital rectal examination reveals stool in the lower portion of the rectum and a palpable colon. Proctoscopy may show an unusually small colon lumen, prominent veins, and an abnormal amount of mucus. Diagnostic tests to rule out other causes include upper GI series, barium enema, and examination of stool for occult blood from neoplasms.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Irritable bowel syndrome: Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)

A history and physical examination should be performed. A careful patient history is required to determine contributing psychological factors such as a recent stressful life change. The diagnosis must also rule out other disorders, such as amebiasis, diverticulitis, colon cancer, and lactose intolerance. Appropriate diagnostic procedures include sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, barium enema, rectal biopsy, and stool examination for blood, parasites, and bacteria.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Crying and Irritability: Clinical Features and Diagnosis
(The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)

Well Child

Physical Disturbance

  • Physicaldisturbances that contribute to excessive crying in infants andchildren include hunger, thirst, diaper wetness, loud noise, teething,tiredness, restriction of movement, anal fissure, pruritic rash,and environmental temperature that is either too warm or too cold.
  • In older children, hunger and tirednessare most common physical factors contributing to excessive cryingand irritability.
  • Psychologic Disturbance

  • Psychologicdisturbances that contribute to excessive crying and irritabilityin infancy include abnormal mother–child interaction wherethe mother is unable to meet physical and emotional needs of herchild. The relationship is characterized by lack of contact, stimulation,and love.
  • Conversely, overstimulation with disruptionof feeding and sleeping patterns also may cause excessive cryingand irritability.
  • In older children, anxiety, depression,lack of parental love, insecurity, excessive strictness in family,frequent punishment, and other personal or family problems may causefrequent crying and emotional upset.
  • Colic

  • May be definedas recurrent crying spells lasting >3 hrs/dayfor ≥3 days/wk beginning at 2–4 wks of life.
  • Episodes occur at predictable timesof day and each episode lasts 30 mins to 2 hrs or longer.
  • Infants are difficult to console bynormal parental means, but when they are not crying, they appearwell and developmentally normal.
  • Episodes usually resolve by about 4mos of age.
  • Why colic occurs is unknown, but Barrand Gunnar (2000) have hypothesized that it may be due to decreasedability of some infants to regulate or modulate their responses.
  • Ill Child

  • Infectionand trauma are most common causes of excessive crying and irritabilityin ill children.
  • Most disorders listed below are discussedin other chapters.
  • History and physical exam are oftendiagnostic.
  • Infection

  • Viral illness
  • Acute otitis media
  • Herpes gingivostomatitis
  • Herpangina
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Meningitis
  • Encephalitis
  • Septicemia
  • Trauma

  • Fractures (skull, extremity, clavicle)
  • Subdural hematoma
  • Skin disorders

  • Burn
  • Hair tourniquet syndrome (hair wrappedaround finger or toe)
  • GI disorders

  • Constipation
  • Incarcerated inguinal hernia
  • Intussusception
  • Appendicitis
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Gastroesophageal reflux/esophagitis
  • Cardiovascular disorders

  • Supraventriculartachycardia
  • Central nervous system disorders

  • Increasedintracranial pressure including pseudotumor cerebri
  • Genitourinary disorders

  • Testiculartorsion
  • Eye disorders

  • Corneal abrasion
  • Foreign body
  • Glaucoma
  • Skeletal disorders

  • Osteomyelitis
  • Infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffeydisease)
  • Drug reaction

  • DTaP immunization
  • Neonatal narcotic and alcohol withdrawal
  • Maternal drugs in breast milk (sympathomimetics)
  • Other (sympathomimetics, antihistamines,atropinics, cocaine)
  • Idiopathic
  • Diagnostic Approach

  • Excessivecrying or irritability must be taken seriously, especially whencomforting and consoling fail to remedy the situation.
  • Age of child and presence of illnessnarrow diagnostic possibilities. Complete history, including psychosocialand developmental history, and physical exam are often diagnostic.
  • Infant can have normal physical examwith occult trauma (skull or extremity fracture), so that radiographssometimes are necessary.
  • Placement of fluorescein drops in eyemay be diagnostic of corneal abrasion or foreign body.
  • If physical exam is normal and cryingdoes not persist after assessment, serious illness is unlikely.If crying persists, other investigations may be necessary, and theseare guided by history and physical exam.
  • » READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Source: The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics, 2006


     » Next page: Signs of Irritable bowel syndrome

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