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Irritable bowel syndrome: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Nov 30, 2023

If you have irritable bowel syndrome, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more. Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

  • How do you know I have irritable bowel syndrome?

  • Could it be a more serious illness?

  • Do I need any tests?

  • Do you know what's causing it?

  • What treatment do I need?

  • What should I do if treatment doesn't work?

  • What medicines can I take to help with pain, diarrhoea, or constipation? 

  • What can I do myself to help control my symptoms?

  • Do I need to change my diet?

  • Does stress make my irritable bowel syndrome worse?

  • Are there any alternative or complementary treatments?

  • Will irritable bowel syndrome ever go away?

The patient information from BMJ Best Practice is regularly updated. The most recent version of Best Practice can be found at bestpractice.bmj.com. This information is intended for use by health professionals. It is not a substitute for medical advice. It is strongly recommended that you independently verify any interpretation of this material and, if you have a medical problem, see your doctor.

Please see BMJ's full terms of use at: bmj.com/company/legal-information. BMJ does not make any representations, conditions, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that this material is accurate, complete, up-to-date or fit for any particular purposes.

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