See a healthcare professional for an evaluation
Review symptoms and medical history
Check for abdominal pain linked to bowel movements
Check for changes in stool frequency or stool form
Assess for bloating and bowel habit changes
Perform a physical examination
Order blood tests to rule out other conditions
Order stool tests to check for infection or inflammation
Consider celiac disease testing
Consider tests for inflammatory bowel disease if indicated
Use symptom-based diagnostic criteria such as Rome criteria
Consider colonoscopy if alarm symptoms are present or based on age and risk factors
Evaluate for alarm signs such as blood in stool, weight loss, anemia, fever, or nighttime symptoms
Review medications and diet triggers
Follow up if symptoms change or worsen