I believe the Rome III criteria defines IBS as recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days per month during the last 3 months associated with two or more of the following: improvement with defecation, onset associated with a change in frequency of stool, and/or onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool. Pain is not a necessary condition for IBS.
IBS can strike at any time in ones life. It is not necessary that it start after an disease or infection. Post-infection IBS only one type of IBS onset in some instances a genetic link has been identified or it can start after pregancy. Generally speaking in most instances the cause is unknown.
I have not seen anything in the research that shows a causal relationship between stress and IBS. However, there is lots of evidence to show that stress can exacerbate IBS.
Unfortunately, IBS can only be diagnosed through a process of exclusion. This is best done by a GI doctor. Has a GI doctor ever given you a IBS diagnosis?
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
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Re: My story -- sorry for the length, but any insights would really be helpful!!!
