What should be evaluated if IBS is present?

Patients with any of the following features must be evaluated clinically for other diagnoses even though IBS may be present: Signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding. Unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Unintentional weight loss. Palpable abdominal mass or lymphadenopathy on exam.

What are the different types of IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by altered bowel habits accompanied by abdominal distension and pain. There are four types of IBS: ■ IBS-D: where diarrhea is predominant; ■ IBS-C: that is constipation predominant; ■ IBS-M: where diarrhea and constipation are mixed; ■ IBS-A: that alternates diarrhea and constipation.

What is the difference between mixed bowel habits & unclassified IBS?

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): more than 25% loose stools and more than 25% hard stools. Unclassified IBS (IBS-U): less than 25% loose stools and less than 25% hard stools. This new approach is more likely to reflect experience from clinical practice and should substantially reduce the IBS-U group while increasing the IBS-M group.