How do doctors diagnose IBS, and which health professional should I see in Singapore?

The most common cause for your symptoms at your age is due to sensitive stomach and bowel (functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome). A lot of times these are closely related to your dietary habit and lifestyle.

You can find out FODMAP from the internet and attempt to reduce the FODMAP content in your diet, this can help to improve your symptoms related to dietary intake.

Other than that, please avoid smoking, alcohol, late dinner/ supper and always take your meal on time. Not to forget also having a good sleeping habit as adequate rest and relaxation will help your symptoms too.

If you are still troubled by the symptoms after you have modified your diet and lifestyle, you can consult gastroenterologist for further assessment.

Hope this help you

Dr Loh Poh Yen

IBS can be diagnosed if the clinical presentation satisfy certain criteria especially if other important diagnoses have also been excluded. There is unfortunately no one single test which can confirm or exclude IBS since this condition is generally classified as a functional bowel problem.

The good news is IBS does not degenerate into other more serious conditions such as cancer. However, the symptoms of IBS can be disturbing to outright disabling at times.

Not all IBS cases require follow-up under a specialist. Advise and standard treatment from your GP may go a long way. If there are "red flag" signs or symptoms incompatible with IBS such as bleeding on bowel opening, you may want o seek help from your gastroenterologist.

- Dr Quan