IBS - Diagnostic CRITERIA and Prevalence

Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS) is a more common gastrointestinal condition than most people realise. Studies have estimated that IBS affects up to 20% of the US population (5-20% of men and 15-25% of women). The classic gastrointestinal symptoms of IBS are chronic or recurrent abdominal pain and/or discomfort and associated changes in bowel habits (diarrhea and/or constipation).

Two main IBS categories
although the Rome criteria, the de facto standard for diagnosing IBS, does not make the distinction, Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be subdivided into two major categories,  In our experience, after having looked at hundreds of faecal microbiology profiles, each is associated with a different profile of intestinal bacteria balance. The profiles can only be identified by a Faecal Microbiology Analysis from Bioscreen Medical.  To our Knowledge this Laboratory is the only commercial lab that refrigerates the faecal sample and transports it in an anaerobic (oxygen free) chamber prior to analysis. They have also developed unique techniques for growing and counting the main species of both Aerobic and Anaerobic gut bacteria.

Constipation-predominant:

• Symptoms tend to alternate between constipation and normal stools.
• Symptoms of lower abdominal cramping or aching or discomfort are commonly triggered by eating.
• This profile is more likely to be associated with a low E-Coli count in the Faecal analysis. We think that this is probably due to the fact that E-Coli makes the amino acid Tryptophan which is a precursor to the Neurotransmitter Serotonin. Serotonin is not only the "feel good" Brain Neurotransmitter but is also needed to initiate and maintain the peristaltic activity, responsible for good gut motility. 

Diarrhea-predominant:

• The person may tend to experience diarrhea early in the morning or after eating.
• The need to void the bowel is typically urgent, and cannot be delayed.
• There may also be an incontinence problem.

IBS and Work disruption

• Studies in the United States indicate that people with IBS miss 3-4 times more work days annually as the US national average of 5 days a year.
• This makes IBS one of the most common reasons for work or school absenteeism, second only to the common cold.

IBS affects Women more than men

• Women are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from IBS than men.
• Among women, IBS is most prevalent during the menstruation years.
• Over 50% of women seeing a gynecologist for lower abdominal pain have IBS.
• Women with IBS are three times more likely to undergo a hysterectomy than those without IBS.
• Women with IBS are more likely to be eventually diagnosed with endometriosis than women with other bowel symptoms, suggesting the possibility of a common denominator.
• Over 60% of patients with IBS report rheumatological symptoms, such as skin rashes, muscle spasms,  headaches, muscle aches or Fibromyalgia.