When Are Bowel Symptoms A Sign Of IBS?
Participants: Brian E. Lacy, MD, PhD – Assistant Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Susan Lucak, MD – Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia- Presbyterian Medical Center Lin Chang, MD – Associate Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Webcast Transcript: Recorded Live: March 28 2003 ANNOUNCER: When it comes to diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome the first step is: go see a doctor. LIN CHANG, MD: The majority of individuals that have IBS actually don’t seek healthcare. About two-thirds of individuals that have IBS actually don’t see a doctor or another healthcare provider for their symptoms. BRIAN LACY, MD: They’re scared to see a doctor. They’re worried they’re going to get bad news; many of these patients are very concerned their symptoms represent cancer. They’re embarrassed to talk about their symptoms. They’re worried that there won’t be any treatment for their symptoms.
Transcript ANNOUNCER: When it comes to diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome the first step is: go see a doctor. LIN CHANG, MD: The majority of individuals that have IBS actually don’t seek healthcare. About two-thirds of individuals that have IBS actually don’t see a doctor or another healthcare provider for their symptoms. BRIAN LACY, MD: They’re scared to see a doctor. They’re worried they’re going to get bad news; many of these patients are very concerned their symptoms represent cancer. They’re embarrassed to talk about their symptoms. They’re worried that there won’t be any treatment for their symptoms. And so, many of these patients kind of remain hidden and remain undiagnosed. ANNOUNCER: At the doctor’s office, the next step is to confirm the key symptoms of IBS: abdominal pain or discomfort, plus constipation or diarrhea. LIN CHANG, MD: The main symptom that is used to classify patients with IBS is the patients have to have abdominal pain or discomfort. In other disorders where
ANNOUNCER: When it comes to diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome the first step is: go see a doctor. LIN CHANG, MD: The majority of individuals that have IBS actually don’t seek healthcare. About two-thirds of individuals that have IBS actually don’t see a doctor or another healthcare provider for their symptoms. BRIAN LACY, MD: They’re scared to see a doctor. They’re worried they’re going to get bad news; many of these patients are very concerned their symptoms represent cancer. They’re embarrassed to talk about their symptoms. They’re worried that there won’t be any treatment for their symptoms. And so, many of these patients kind of remain hidden and remain undiagnosed. ANNOUNCER: At the doctor’s office, the next step is to confirm the key symptoms of IBS: abdominal pain or discomfort, plus constipation or diarrhea. LIN CHANG, MD: The main symptom that is used to classify patients with IBS is the patients have to have abdominal pain or discomfort. In other disorders where they may ha
Diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome today is often simpler than it has been in the past. Doctors used to focus on ruling out other diseases and conditions. Now, doctors turn most of their attention to a patient’s symptoms. This change in approach can lead to a speedy diagnosis and quick start of therapy.
