This is based on the Rome 2 criteria
"The diagnosis of a functional bowel disorder always presumes the absence of a structural or biochemical explanation for the symptoms." Please answer the questions and click the button. Please do NOT use this questionnaire to diagnose yourself but instead if you think you may have irritable bowel syndrome book an appointment to see your GP.

Remember that weight loss ,anaemia ,gastrointestinal bleeding or an abdominal mass suggests an alternative diagnosis.
In this case you should certainly book an appointment to see your GP.

  • Have you had abdominal discomfort or pain for at least 12 weeks (which need not be consecutive) in the preceding 12 months ?
  • Is this pain/discomfort relieved by defaecation (opening your bowels)?
  • Onset associated with a change in stool frequency?
  • Onset associated with a change in form (appearance ) of stool?
  • Do you have abnormal stool frequency( abnormal may be defined as greater than 3 bowel movements a day and less than 3 bowel movements a week)?
  • Do you have abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool)?
  • Do you have abnormal stool passage (straining/urgency or feeling of incomplete evacuation)?
  • Do you have passage of mucus?
  • Do you have bloating or feeling of abdominal distension?
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