title: The irritable bowel syndrome: diagnostic strategies.
abstract: The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain, abdominal distension and altered bowel habits. The diagnosis is usually made by excluding other diseases. The diagnosis of IBS must be based on a) medical history (i.e. symptoms, bowel habits, normal physical examination, absence of intestinal infections or parasites) b) physiopathological evaluation (hyperactivity of the distal colon, hypersensitivity to stimuli, stress), and c) physiological evaluation of the patient. The diagnosis of IBS can be supposed in patients with typical symptoms in the absence of other diseases that were excluded by complementary examinations.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Tract Department, University Hospital Clinic, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreno-Osset
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomas-Ridocci
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minguez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benages
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003106:Colon / Q000503:physiopathology; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D011581:Psychological Tests