Health A-Z

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort associated with diarrhea. Here's an overview of symptoms, treatment plans, and diagnosis/testing methods for IBS-D:

1. Abdominal Pain/Discomfort: Typically relieved by bowel movements.
2. Diarrhea: Frequent loose stools may occur, often with urgency.
3. Bloating: Feeling of fullness and gas in the abdomen.
4. Changes in Bowel Habits: Urgency or a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
5. Mucus in Stool: Sometimes seen with IBS-D.

1. Dietary Changes: Certain foods can trigger symptoms in IBS-D patients. Keeping a food diary can help identify triggers, and then eliminating or reducing these foods from the diet may help manage symptoms. Common triggers include high-fat foods, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, and certain types of carbohydrates (FODMAPs).
2. Medications:
   • Antispasmodics: These can help reduce abdominal cramping.
   • Antidiarrheal Medications: Such as loperamide (Imodium) can help control diarrhea.
   • Probiotics: Some evidence suggests that certain probiotics may help alleviate symptoms.
   • Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These may help manage abdominal pain and discomfort.
3. Stress Management: Techniques such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness, or counseling can help manage stress, which often exacerbates IBS symptoms.
4. Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking can also help manage symptoms.
5. Medication under Medical Supervision: In some cases, medications like lubiprostone or alosetron may be prescribed by a healthcare provider for more severe symptoms, but these have potential side effects and are typically used cautiously.

1. Medical History and Physical Examination: The doctor will ask about symptoms, medical history, and conduct a physical exam.
2. Ruling Out Other Conditions: Since IBS-D shares symptoms with other digestive disorders, tests may be done to rule out conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, or infections.
3. Diagnostic Criteria: Diagnosis of IBS-D is often based on specific criteria called the Rome criteria, which include recurrent abdominal pain on average at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months, associated with two or more of the following: improvement with defecation, onset associated with a change in frequency of stool, or onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.
4. Stool Tests: These may be done to rule out infections or other gastrointestinal issues.
5. Blood Tests: These can help rule out other conditions like celiac disease or inflammation.
6. Colonoscopy or Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: These procedures may be recommended to examine the colon and rectum for signs of inflammation or other abnormalities.