Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is sometimes misdiagnosed as Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that affects the large intestine. Symptoms can include abdominal cramping, bloating and pain related to passing a bowel movement, changes in appearance of faeces, changes in frequency of bowel movements, weight loss, diarrhea at night, rectal bleeding, iron deficiency anaemia, unexplained vomiting. Irritable bowel syndrome can be misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, Crohn’s disease, lactose intolerance, diverticulitis, celiac disease, gallstones, pancreatitis, endometriosis, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, stomach cancer, and parasites like hookworms and tapeworms.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Cramping or bloating upon bowel movement, changes in appearance of bowel movement, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movement frequency

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

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