Symptoms of common 'often misdiagnosed' disorder listed by expert

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common disorder of the digestive system, with up to one-third of the UK population experiencing symptoms. But it is often misdiagnosed as a more temporary gastrointestinal illness, an expert has said.

Daniel Pope-Finney, a chartered legal executive at Patient Claim Line, has shared the signs of IBS and what you can do if you’ve been misdiagnosed.

What are the signs of IBS?

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of IBS are:

• Stomach pains or cramps

• Bloating

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

Other symptoms can include:

• Flatulence

• Passing mucus from your bottom

• Tiredness and a lack of energy

• Backache

• Problems peeing

• Faecal Incontinence

How is IBS diagnosed?

Your GP should ask about your symptoms, if they come and go, how often you get them, when you get them (for instance, after eating particular foods), and how long you’ve had them for. They may also feel your stomach, to check for lumps or any swelling.

There is no test for IBS so your GP should carry out tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. Your GP may arrange tests on a sample of your stool to check for infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and a blood test to check for problems such as coeliac disease.

What can relieve IBS symptoms?

The NHS advises a number of ways to relieve the symptoms of IBS, including finding ways to relax and getting plenty of exercise. Cooking homemade meals, with fresh ingredients, where you can, and keeping a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get, can help you to avoid any triggers. Probiotics may be able to ease your symptoms, so it is worth trialling for a month to see if they help.

Avoid delaying or skipping meals, and do not eat too quickly. Avoid eating lots of fatty, spicy or processed foods, and avoid eating more than three portions of fresh fruit a day (a portion being 80g). Do not drink more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day and avoid drinking lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks.

What can I do if my IBS has been misdiagnosed?

IBS is often misdiagnosed as a more temporary gastrointestinal illness. If your IBS has been misdiagnosed, you could be taking medication which is making your IBS worse. If your IBS is misdiagnosed as another dietary or bowel issue, you could still be suffering from the effects of IBS, despite making lifestyle changes, meaning you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

If you have received a delayed diagnosis, as a result of your GP not taking your symptoms seriously, or not referring you for tests to rule out other conditions, you may have experienced unnecessary suffering, which is grounds to make a claim for compensation, Daniel said.