How do we differentiate between functional constipation/diarrhea and IBS?
According to ACG grand rounds, you must rely on Rome IV criteria, but it’s straightforward if you look at the picture below:
If your patient has stool type 7 according to the Bristol scale and NO pain, it`s functional diarrhea.
If your patient has stool type 1 according to the Bristol scale and NO pain, it`s functional constipation.
However:
If your patient has pain+stool type 7-its, IBS-D
If your patient has pain+ stool type, 1-it`s IBS-C
And bloating and distension can overlap both functional diarrhea/constipation and IBS!