Irritable Bowel Syndrome (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Overview
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Prevention
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Irritable Bowel Syndrome - How Was Diagnosis Established
Exams and Tests
Irritable bowel syndrome can be a very difficult
diagnosis to make. IBS is called a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that a doctor considers many other alternatives first, perhaps performing tests to rule out other problems. Some of these tests may include laboratory studies, imaging studies (such as a CT scan or small intestinal x-rays), or a lower GI endoscopy (colonoscopy). An endoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube with a tiny camera on one end is passed into the GI tract while the patient is under conscious sedation.
- A combination of history, physical examination, and selected tests are used to help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome.
- No single blood test or x-ray study confirms a diagnosis of IBS.
Next: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - How Was Diagnosis Established
How was the diagnosis of your irritable bowel syndrome established?
Important Safety Information
- KAPIDEX may not be right for everyone. You should not take KAPIDEX if you are allergic to KAPIDEX or any of its ingredients. Severe allergic reactions have been reported.
- Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
- The most common side effects of KAPIDEX were diarrhea (4.8%), stomach pain (4.0%), nausea (2.9%), common cold (1.9%), vomiting (1.6%), and gas (1.6%). KAPIDEX and certain other medicines can affect each other. Before taking KAPIDEX, tell your doctor if you are taking ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, or tacrolimus. If you are taking KAPIDEX with warfarin, you may need to be monitored because serious risks could occur.
Uses of KAPIDEX
- Persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, could be acid reflux disease (ARD). Prescription KAPIDEX capsules are used in adults to treat heartburn related to ARD, to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus (called erosive esophagitis or EE), and to stop EE from coming back. Individual results may vary. Most damage (erosions) heals in 4–8 weeks.
Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. Please see full Prescribing Information for KAPIDEX.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
KAPIDEX™ is a trademark of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., and is used under license by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
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Irritable Bowel Disease »
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional GI disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of specific and unique organic pathology.

