When to see a doctor about IBS

IBS is unlikely to be the cause of abdominal symptoms if:

1) Nocturnal symptoms are present
2) A low albumin or anaemia is detected on blood testing
3) There is bleeding
4) Weight loss
5) Change in bowel habit (new onset diarrhoea or constipation)

If you note these symptoms it is vital to see a trained medical practitioner for investigation with sonography of the abdomen, CT scan and colonoscopy. 

Reviewed by Dr Ismail Moola MBCHB (UCT) FCP (SA) Cert Gastro Phys (SA)
Specialist Physician / Gastroenterologist Netcare Sunninghill Hospital and part time Lecturer Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Wits University February 2015.

Previously reviewed by Dr E. Wilken (MBChB) Mmed (Int), gastroenterologist, May 2011