While the condition is not life-threatening<\/a>, it may affect school attendance, daily routines, emotional wellbeing, and overall quality of life. The encouraging news is that IBS is manageable.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n With the right information and support, you can play a powerful role in supporting your child\u202fto feel\u202fbetter, regain confidence, and know when to seek help.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Irritable bowel syndrome<\/a> (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. This means a child may experience recurring digestive symptoms\u2014such as constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain\u2014even though their digestive system appears normal on physical exams and routine tests.\u202f Several factors may trigger the unpleasant symptoms of IBS, including:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n IBS symptoms vary widely and may come and go. Different children may experience different symptoms. Some common symptoms<\/a> may include:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms may improve after a bowel movement, but they may return later.\u202fIf the symptoms do not go away, connect with your child\u2019s primary care provider to\u202fdetermine the root cause.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n When diagnosing IBS in children, your primary care provider will take your child\u2019s health history into consideration, including family history of IBS or other digestive\u202fconditions such as\u202fceliac\u202fdisease and inflammatory bowel disease.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n They may order blood tests, stool tests, abdominal ultrasounds, or colonoscopy to rule out inflammation, infection, and other conditions<\/a>.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your child\u2019s tests return negative, your doctor may use the Rome IV criteria<\/a> for diagnosing your child\u2019s IBS, which involves questions about:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on the above, the primary care provider may further categorize the child\u2019s IBS diagnosis based on their stool pattern, using the Bristol Stool Form Scale<\/a>:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your primary care provider may also ask about your child\u2019s diet, eating patterns, recent life events that may have caused stress, changes in growth pattern, and body weight, as part of their assessment.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n While IBS is a functional disorder, where the gut appears normal and may function differently, the good news is that symptoms may improve for\u202fsome children<\/a> as they age, especially with effective management strategies in place, allowing them to live normal and active lives.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n While managing IBS in children may seem challenging, here are some non-medicated ways<\/a> to support your children:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is IBS in Children?\u202f <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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IBS is different from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Unlike IBD, IBS does not cause intestinal inflammation, damage, or structural changes<\/a>. Still, these symptoms may make your child feel uncomfortable.\u202f
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Research suggests that IBS may be linked to a number of factors<\/a>, such as:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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These foods\u202finclude:\u202f \n\n
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How IBS Is Diagnosed in Children\u202f <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Can Kids Outgrow IBS?\u202f <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Parents Can Do Next\u202f <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When to Consult a Doctor\u202f <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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