Often have stomachaches for no reason. Do you have a "glass belly"? Take a 1-minute self-test to find out the answer!

Do you often feel abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation but you are not eating the wrong food? Be careful whether you suffer from "glass belly". The scientific name of "glass belly" is "irritable bowel syndrome". According to statistics, about 5.4 to 6.6% of the adult population in Hong Kong suffer from severe irritable bowel syndrome¹. Are you one of them?

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

Before proceeding with the test, we need to first understand what irritable bowel syndrome is.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disease, and most of the patients are women. After we eat, our intestines and stomach carry out the process of digestion. However, after suffering from IBS, the patient's intestines may move too fast or too slowly, resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation.

Symptoms of IBS patients mainly include:

• Abdominal pain: The degree of abdominal pain varies from person to person and can range from mild to severe. It often occurs after eating or before and after defecation. 

• Diarrhea/Constipation: IBS patients often have irregular bowel habits and may experience diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two. 

• Changes in stool status: A patient's stools may vary in consistency from soft, watery, granular, or hard stools. 

• Bloating: Feeling bloated or full in your abdomen from time to time. 

• Feeling of incomplete defecation: You may feel that your defecation is not clean, and you may still feel the urge to defecate even after defecation.
  

  
  

How to self-test IBS?

IBS is not a fatal disease, but due to symptoms such as sudden abdominal pain, it has an impact on daily work and school. The symptoms of IBS overlap with other gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, in addition to assessing the patient's condition during consultation, doctors will also cooperate with colonoscopy and other methods.

If you suspect you may have IBS, you can start by taking the following self-test:

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¹ "The Gastrointestinal and Emotional Health of Hong Kong Secondary School Students and Parents During the COVID-19" by Prof WU Che Yuen, Justin, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Disclaimer: This article is prepared by an independent third party and is not sponsored. The content provided is solely for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not represent any specific viewpoint. In the event of any discomfort or health issues, it is advised to seek medical attention promptly.