Rome IV Criteria
IBS is a functional condition without a clear disease process. Therefore, doctors usually diagnose it with the Rome IV criteria. This benchmark states that a diagnosis is made when symptoms of IBS have been occurring at least one day a week over the last 3 months and began 6 or more months ago. You must experience persistent abdominal pain with 2 or more of the following signs: pain associated with a bowel movement, a change in the stool’s appearance, and a change in the stool’s frequency. Keep in mind that Rome IV criteria can be a helpful tool, but most doctors will need a more comprehensive procedure to diagnose the underlying cause more precisely. [3]
