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            DO YOU HAVE 

    IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (I.B.S.)?

 

Irritable bowel syndrome often referred to as I.B.S., spastic colon or spastic colitis is the most common intestinal disorder seen by doctors today. Approximately 22 million people in the United States or 10% to 20% of the world population, 2/3's of whom are women suffer from I.B.S.

Usually I.B.S. starts in early adulthood and in most cases occurs before the age of forty. The symptoms of I.B.S. may fluctuate over time but usually exist throughout the person's life. If you have been experiencing cramps or abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating or some of these symptoms for the past month or longer you may have I.B.S.

          Cramps or abdominal pain can be sharp or dull, steady or intermitted and it usually occurs on the lower left side of the abdomen. An additional symptom associated with abdominal cramping can be an "urgent" bowel movement usually following a meal to relieve abdominal pain and pressure

         Usually a person with I.B.S. will either have diarrhea or constipation predominately. What causes diarrhea or constipation depends on where and how often your digestion system get disrupted by cramps and spasms.

          The feeling of excessive gas in the lower abdomen or feeling full after eating a small meal is due to spasms or cramps in the intestinal walls which compresses normal amounts of gas.

Below is a questionnaire that you can complete to determine if you are a I.B.S. candidate. Click the numerical answer for each question that most accurately indicates how you have been feeling during the past month. After completing all 19 questions, total or add up your numeric scores before submitting your answers. As always, you should consult your doctor for further testing and proper diagnosis.

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                            I.B.S. SELF-EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE

1. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel less satisfied?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

2. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel fed-up or discouraged?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

3. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel upset about your symptoms of IBS?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

4.During the past month how often did your IBS symptoms make you feel more tense and uneasy than usual ?

1. All of the time  2. Most of the time 3. Sometimes 4. A little of the time 5. Never

5. During the past month how often did your IBS symptoms make you feel downhearted and sad ?

1. All of the time 2. Most of the time 3. Sometimes 4. A little of the time 5. Never

6. During the past month how often did your IBS symptoms make you feel worried and concerned ?

1. All of the time 2. Most of the time 3. Sometimes 4. A little of the time 5. Never

7. How much during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel not to eat when hungry ?

1. All of the time 2. Most of the time 3. Sometimes 4. A little of the time 5. Never

8. How much during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel to avoid certain foods and drinks ?

1. All of the time 2. Most of the time 3. Sometimes 4. A little of the time 5. Never

9. How much during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel foods were unappealing?

1. All of the time 2. Most of the time 3. Sometimes 4. A little of the time 5. Never

10. During last month how many nights did your symptoms of IBS cause you to wake up earlier than normal ?

1. Every night 2. Most nights 3. Some nights 4. A few nights 5. None

11. During last month how many nights did your symptoms of IBS cause you to wake up during the night ?

1. Every night 2. Most nights 3. Some nights 4. A few nights 5. None

12. During last month how many nights did your symptoms of IBS cause you to have a problem falling asleep ?

1. Every night 2. Most nights 3. Some nights 4. A few nights 5. None

13. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel physically exhausted and tired?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

14. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS affect the performance of your job ?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

15. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you feel emotional exhausted and tired ?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

16. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS make you uncomfortable ?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

17. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS restrict or reduce your sexual activities ?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

18. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS restrict or reduce your attendance of certain social activities ?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

19. How often during the past month did your symptoms of IBS restrict or reduce social activities for others ?

1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Seldom 5. Never

After completing the quiz go back and add up your scores for all nineteen question. Your total score should be between 19 to 95. Next, click the result button to see if you are an I.B.S. candidate.

                                                           RESULT

 

 


Sources: 1. Kruis W., Gastroenterol Clinical Biology 1990                   2. Hahn BA, Kirchdoerfer LJ, Fullerton S. , Mayer E.
                      Vol. 14 42c-44c                                                                                Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1997, Vol. 11 547-552